To discuss axing Lesufi as Gauteng premier, here’s what EFF wants from DA…

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng has slammed the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) “inconsistent” political posture, demanding a public retraction and apology before considering supporting the motion against Premier Panyaza Lesufi.

The DA, led in Gauteng by Solly Msimanga, intends to table a motion of no confidence against Lesufi over the unlawful establishment and implementation of the Gauteng Traffic Wardens (AmaPanyaza).

However, the Red Berets have made it clear that cooperation is conditional on the DA abandoning its double standards and apologising for past remarks.

Lesufi: Motion of no confidence to proceed?

The DA, with 22 seats in the 80-member Gauteng Legislature, faces an uphill battle, needing a minimum of 41 votes for the motion to succeed. The current situation sees the African National Congress (ANC) leading a minority government with 32 seats (including minor coalition partners).

This means the DA requires a massive 19 additional opposition members to secure the crucial 50% plus one majority needed to remove Lesufi. With the EFF holding 11 seats, their participation is essential to the DA’s success.

The EFF caucus leader in Gauteng, Philip Makwala, acknowledged receipt of Msimanga’s invitation to discuss the motion on 27 October 2025 but expressed deep concern over the DA’s historical conduct and language used against the EFF and its leadership.

The EFF says that political engagement must be grounded in mutual respect and good faith. They argue that the DA is delegitimising the EFF publicly while simultaneously seeking their cooperation privately, wanting its proverbial bread buttered on both sides.

List of DA insults aimed at EFF

For the EFF to enter talks with the DA, the Red Berets demands the Blue Party publicly retract “inflammatory” statements and issue a clear apology. For as long as these public pronouncements remain, the EFF says it will not engage.

The EFF letter highlighted several specific instances illustrating the DA’s “inconsistent posture”:

• DA Leader John Steenhuisen publicly declared the EFF as “political enemy number one” on 2 April 2023.
• Steenhuisen referred to the EFF and its leadership as “dangerous demagogues” on 30 July 2023.
• The DA Leader warned of a “doomsday coalition” if the EFF entered government on 5 April 2024.
• DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille said on 30 May 2024 that an ANC-EFF coalition would “spook investors” and “tank the economy”.
• During a US visit on 22 May 2025, Steenhuisen said the DA had “joined hands with the ANC to keep the EFF out of power”.
• The DA asserted its participation in the Government of National Unity (GNU) on 17 July 2024 was to “prevent the EFF and MK from ever getting their hands on the levers of executive power”.

Should the DA fail to meet these demands, the political fate of Lesufi might be secured, despite the damning Public Protector report regarding the AmaPanyaza programme.