Gauteng Premier and ANC Gauteng chairperson Panyaza Lesufi is in hot water for remarks he made about the Government of National Unity and municipal coalitions in a recent interview. Yesterday, Lesufi was summoned to Luthuli House by the ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, who expressed dissatisfaction over his fellow cadre's public utterances. He has since deactivated his X account.

WATCHED

In a statement summoning Lesufi to Luthuli House, Mbalula said he has been observing the public utterances by the chairperson regarding matters of GNU and coalitions in local municipalities following the general elections in May this year. "These public utterances that you have made clearly go against the resolutions made by the National Executive Committee. You would recall that the NEC elaborately discussed the aftermath of the unfavourable electoral outcome, which henceforth was characterised as a significant and strategic setback. And that mindful of the pitfalls of the various options that were availed, the NEC ultimately resolved on the GNU as the most viable option," said Mbalula in the letter.

FOR US OR AGAINST US?

Mbalula emphasised that Lesufi's rants contradict the NEC resolution, therefore bringing the ANC into public disrepute. "Ordinarily, any organisation that fails to observe the basic tenet of organisation with respect to the principle of democratic centralism naturally invites such public disrepute and ridicule of its leadership. You are accordingly requested to present an explanation to the National Officials, on why your public utterances should not be considered to be not only in violation of the principle of democratic centralism but that this inevitably violates the ANC Constitution, with the consideration that all NEC decisions are binding to all lower structures."