'Broken' Gauteng has national implications, warns ANC

During a media briefing on Thursday, the party’s Provincial Task Team presented the outcomes of a two-day lekgotla held in Fourways.

The meeting focused on improving governance and accelerating service delivery.

Provincial Task Team Coordinator Hope Papo said the ANC has committed to improving service delivery in Gauteng within 12 months, from June 2025 to June 2026.

He stressed the importance of urgency and leadership in managing the province.

“We can’t be lacklustre and pedestrian in leading Gauteng, because if Gauteng does not function, the impact will be felt in the whole country, whole region and the whole continent,” said Papo.

As part of its updated strategy, the ANC in Gauteng has added sinkholes to its list of 13 key priorities.

The issue has become a growing concern in the metros, particularly as it affects infrastructure and disrupts basic services.

The ANC currently governs Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni through multiparty coalition arrangements.

Addressing the media, Gauteng co-convenor and provincial premier Panyaza Lesufi emphasised the need for quick action.

“If we can just get these priorities right in the next month or so, we believe we can turn the province around,” said Lesufi.

The full list of priorities now includes:

Water

Cable theft and vandalism

Non-functional traffic lights

Potholes

Crime and lawlessness

Mushrooming of informal settlements

Electricity issues (load shedding and load reduction)

Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF)

Drug abuse

Service at hospitals and clinics

Lack of schools

Failing infrastructure and CBDs

Unemployment

Sinkholes

Lesufi added that the province is awaiting the re-tabling of the provincial budget on Wednesday, which will determine how resources are allocated to address these pressing issues.

“The sooner we know where we stand on some of the budget allocations, it will assist us. We shouldn’t fast-track some of these things,” he said.

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