In a heated tweet, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi lashed out at the Democratic Alliance (DA), branding the party as “slave owners” after they launched a campaign against him.
Story Summary:
- Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi called the DA “slave owners” in a controversial tweet, accusing the party of personalising political matters.
- Lesufi’s tweet comes amid the DA’s accusations of covering up corruption, with the party pushing for forensic reports on government spending to be released.
- The tensions within the Gauteng ANC legislature, especially between pro- and anti-GNU factions, are further complicating Lesufi’s position as premier.
Panyaza Lesufi blasts DA: Here’s what he said
Lesufi accused the DA of attempting to “destabilise” the Gauteng province and unseat him as premier.
His message further implied that the DA’s refusal to participate in the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPU) fueled their aggressive stance.
In the tweet, Lesufi wrote:
“Try harder, masters, the slaves have woken up and smelled the coffee.”
He defended his position as premier and criticised the DA’s relentless efforts to paint him as corrupt, alleging that they were upset after the ANC secured leadership in Gauteng.
Lesufi’s statements further cement the growing tensions within the Gauteng provincial legislature, where pro-GNU (Government of National Unity) and anti-GNU factions, including Lesufi, have been at odds over how the province should be governed.
Lesufi targeted in alleged corruption scandal
The Democratic Alliance has called for Lesufi to be investigated for allegedly covering up corruption.
DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga claims that Lesufi and his administration have repeatedly failed to release forensic reports detailing corruption within the provincial government.
According to Msimanga, the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) has not delivered on its promises to release all completed forensic investigations into alleged corrupt activities.
He further accused Lesufi of withholding reports to protect implicated officials and called for lifestyle audits to be made public.
“Millions of rands in taxpayers’ money are lost to corruption,” Msimanga said, urging Lesufi to “take the public into your confidence.”
The DA intends to report Lesufi to the Public Protector over the matter.
Lesufi’s office has vehemently denied these claims.