EFF keeps door open amid ANC-DA impasse in Gauteng

His comments come after Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi postponed the announcement of his provincial executive on Monday evening due to ongoing disagreements with the DA.

Lesufi had intended to announce his team of MECs on Monday evening. However, disputes between the ANC and DA meant Gauteng remained the only province without an executive.

Following the May elections, the ANC's support in the country's economic hub declined to 34%, resulting in no party securing a clear majority and necessitating a power-sharing agreement.

It is understood that the ANC provincial leadership has been exploring a potential alliance with the EFF and the MK party.

Dunga confirmed that the party met with the ANC leadership. 

He said while a coalition involving the EFF and MK party would make sense for Gauteng residents, the ANC national leadership appears reluctant to consider it as an option.

"After the election results, we engaged with them [ANC] and expressed our interest in being part of the government.  We also made it clear that we would not join any government structures that include the DA and FF Plus. 

“Our engagements with them have also been informed by the fact that we run several municipalities together, which means that we do have interactions from time to time, "Dunga explained.

He added, "I believe the ANC in Gauteng would have been open to working with the EFF, MK Party, PA, and possibly the IFP or other parties. 

“Unfortunately, they are put in a very difficult position by the national leadership to work with the DA." 

Dunga believes Lesufi's decision to delay the cabinet announcement was meant to put pressure on the DA to accept their proposal.

"It seemed more like a tactic to force compliance rather than a principled stand. If it were a principled stance, they would have proceeded with the announcement as planned.

“Instead, they opted for postponement in the hope that the DA would succumb to their decision," he remarked.

Speaking to the media on Monday evening, the ANC's provincial secretary, Thembinkosi Nciza, accused the DA of attempting to exclude smaller parties from coalition talks.

However, DA provincial chairperson Solly Msimanga stated that Lesufi had only offered the DA two portfolios in his cabinet.

Dunga reiterated that the EFF's doors remain open to the ANC in Gauteng.

 He believes a viable option could have been a coalition involving the ANC, EFF, and MK Party, whose combined electoral support totalled 57.47%.

"It would be in the best interest of the majority of Gauteng residents for us to form a government and be part of the governance structure. Despite any perceptions of rejection, the EFF still commands a significant share of the electorate in Gauteng," he emphasised.

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