Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has appointed Nkululeko Dunga, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) provincial chair, as the modern Member of the Executive Committee (MEC) for Finance. The move, announced during a media briefing on April 1, effectively places the province’s treasury under the control of the EFF, a decision that has sparked immediate backlash from opposition leaders and political analysts who argue the EFF Gauteng chair Dunga’s treasury appointment ‘not in good faith’.
The appointment replaces Lebogang Maile, who has been shifted to the education, sports, arts, culture and recreation portfolio. In a broader reshuffle of the 10-member provincial cabinet, Matome Chiloane, the former MEC for education, has been dropped entirely. The decision comes at a precarious time for Lesufi’s administration, as the ANC’s grip on the province has weakened significantly, falling from over 50% of the vote in 2019 to less than 35% in the 2024 provincial elections.
For the estimated 16 million residents of Gauteng—the economic engine of South Africa—the appointment is more than a cabinet shuffle. Dunga will now oversee a massive provincial budget of R179.2bn for 2026/27. Given that Gauteng contributes roughly 33% to the national GDP and more than 10% of the total GDP for Sub-Saharan Africa, the stability of its treasury is viewed by markets and policymakers as a critical indicator of regional economic health.
A History of Controversy and Financial Friction
The appointment has raised alarms due to Dunga’s recent track record in municipal finance. In June 2024, Dunga was removed from his position as the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for finance in the City of Ekurhuleni. That dismissal followed allegations that he failed to submit the metro’s 2022/23 annual financial statements by the legislated deadline.
Beyond the paperwork delays, Dunga’s tenure in Ekurhuleni was marred by criticism regarding the management of security tenders. Reports indicate these tenders cost the city approximately R2bn during the 2023/24 financial year, leading to questions about fiscal oversight. His public profile has similarly been complicated by a legal and safety controversy; in October 2023, Dunga was involved in a fatal car accident on the R21. He was being transported in a private Mercedes Benz V-Class that was allegedly fitted with unauthorized blue lights; a motorcyclist died in the crash.
Solly Msimanga, the DA Gauteng leader, has questioned Dunga’s fitness for the role, stating that the appointment “will not benefit the residents of Gauteng” and suggesting that the move is a reward to the EFF to ensure their continued support of the ANC in the legislature.
The Politics of Survival and Power Sharing
To understand why Lesufi would appoint a figure with such a contentious record to a critical financial post, one must appear at the arithmetic of the Gauteng legislature. With 80 members and a fragmented vote, the ANC required the EFF’s support to ensure Lesufi remained Premier. This dependency has created a volatile environment where the EFF has frequently threatened to destabilize the province.
The tension reached a boiling point after Dunga’s removal from the Ekurhuleni finance post and a subsequent dispute in December 2025 over the speakership of the metro. EFF leader Julius Malema accused the ANC of attempting to push his party out of the metro, warning that the EFF might reconsider its support for the ANC in Gauteng.
Political analysts suggest this appointment is a strategic “win-win” designed to buy stability. Ntsikelelo Breakfast, an analyst from Nelson Mandela University, argues that the EFF Gauteng chair Dunga’s treasury appointment ‘not in good faith’ but is instead a manifestation of “the politics of power sharing.”
“It’s a political move aimed at producing a win-win situation. But you can’t trust [EFF leader Julius] Malema, he’s not a reliable person, he has demonstrated that. The voters don’t stand to benefit from this move.”
Timeline of Key Events Leading to the Appointment
| Date | Event | Outcome/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| October 2023 | R21 Car Accident | Fatal crash involving a vehicle allegedly using blue lights. |
| June 2024 | Fired as Ekurhuleni MMC | Removed for failing to meet financial statement deadlines. |
| December 2025 | Ekurhuleni Speaker Dispute | EFF loses speaker position to ANC’s Dora Mlambo. |
| April 1, 2026 | Treasury Appointment | Appointed as Gauteng Finance MEC by Premier Lesufi. |
Implications for Gauteng’s Fiscal Future
Premier Lesufi has defended the move, stating that he received approval from the ANC’s national leadership to reconstitute his cabinet. He argues that bringing the EFF into the executive will restore stability to a government that has been plagued by motions of no confidence and legislative fragility.
However, Thabiso Maphosa, a political analyst, suggests that this move may create friction within the ANC itself. Although Lesufi has the local “go-ahead,” national leaders may be uneasy about handing the keys to the treasury to a party that remains a fierce opponent of the ANC on the national stage. The DA has vowed to monitor the expenditure of the R179.2bn budget closely, asserting that they will not allow the “public purse to be looted.”
The EFF has welcomed the appointment. Dumisani Baleni, the EFF Gauteng spokesperson, expressed confidence in Dunga’s “leadership capabilities, discipline and ability to work within a collective” while advancing the party’s political program.
Disclaimer: This article discusses government financial appointments and political analysis. It does not constitute financial or legal advice.
The next critical checkpoint for the province will be the upcoming local government elections later this year, which will determine if this alliance of convenience between the ANC and EFF can survive the ballot box or if the “politics of power sharing” will collapse under electoral pressure.
We invite our readers to share their thoughts on this appointment in the comments below. How do you believe this will impact Gauteng’s service delivery?
