Some DA leaders say Gauteng has regressed under Premier Lesufi

JOHANNESBURG - Some Democratic Alliance (DA) regional leaders said the Gauteng province had regressed under Premier Panyaza Lesufi's leadership.

The party held a media briefing in Johannesburg to present what it called the true State of the Province Address (SOPA).

This is part of a long-held tradition for the organisation to hold an alternative SOPA ahead of the official one, which will be presented by Lesufi next week.

DA Tshwane leader, Cilliers Brink, said that Lesufi had not followed up on his promise to revive decommissioned electricity power stations in the capital to increase energy supply in the province.

"Two years ago, in the SOPA, Premier Lesufi made a big announcement about power stations in Tshwane and he did absolutely nothing. When I was the mayor of Tshwane and our team was in place, we took those steps to get those power stations in the hands of IPPs [independent power producers) and we set the ball in motion. The premier made his announcement and did absolutely nothing to support us."

DA caucus leader in Mogale City, Tyrone Gray, said that the West Rand was still inundated with zama zamas despite Lesufi’s promise to direct more resources towards fighting illegal mining.

"The facts matter, and the fact is there is no leadership, no strategic improvements or progression and everything he does is reactive. We see the zama zamas running amok, especially in the West Rand area. There has been no improvements in our infrastructure, safety. I concur with my colleagues, he (Lesufi) is living in a fantasy world."