Panyaza Lesufi Announces New Measures to Fix Gauteng’s Service Delivery Woes

Gauteng Premier and ANC provincial co-convenor Panyaza Lesufi has launched a decisive, multi-pronged action plan. This plan aims to tackle the province’s deepening service delivery crisis. Speaking at the conclusion of the ANC Gauteng Provincial Task Team lekgotla in Fourways, Lesufi outlined bold interventions. These interventions aim to reverse years of poor performance in housing, water supply, infrastructure, crime prevention, electricity, health, and education.

The lekgotla, which followed national strategic planning sessions like the ANC NEC lekgotla, the State of the Nation Address (SONA), and the State of the Province Address (SOPA), brought together key decision-makers to chart a path forward. Panyaza Lesufi confirmed that all commissions at the two-day event contributed robust proposals, and the final report will soon be made public.

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Cracking Down on Informal Settlements

Panyaza Lesufi pulled no punches in his criticism of municipal leadership, especially in the City of Tshwane. He accused officials of turning a blind eye as informal settlements mushroomed across the city. “We noted with disappointment that those leading our municipalities, especially Tshwane, allowed more than 400 new [informal settlements] to mushroom under their watch,” he said.

To regain control, Panyaza Lesufi announced the formation of an anti-land invasion unit, which will work to halt illegal land occupations across Gauteng. This marks a significant shift toward enforcing urban planning regulations and protecting state land.

Water Supply Recovery Underway

Addressing the province’s water crisis, Lesufi reported major progress. “We are proud now that it’s only 3% of areas that don’t have water, down from 78% in December last year,” he noted. The provincial government, working in collaboration with the Department of Water and Sanitation, has established a weekly war room to monitor and resolve water supply interruptions swiftly.

This initiative signals a clear effort to restore basic services and ensure consistent access to water in historically underserved areas.

Fixing Roads and Traffic Lights

Panyaza Lesufi also prioritized road infrastructure. He confirmed that ANC-led municipalities and coalition partners have created dedicated units for pothole repairs. Additionally, they’ve formed a weekly coordination committee to fix and protect traffic lights across urban Gauteng.

Traffic signal failures have long plagued the province, contributing to congestion and road accidents. The new strategy aims to reduce these disruptions and improve traffic flow.

Boosting Crime Prevention and Police Visibility

Panyaza Lesufi committed to improving safety through a unified policing strategy that brings together the SAPS, municipal law enforcement, private security, and provincial agencies. “We are ready to ensure that the people of Gauteng can see police visibility across their homes,” he said.

This integrated approach aligns with national crime prevention strategies and targets increased police presence in high-risk communities.

Tackling Electricity Challenges

Electricity supply remains a major concern in Gauteng. Lesufi acknowledged the struggles of communities facing ongoing blackouts and confirmed that the ANC has initiated talks with the Ministry of Energy to resolve municipal debt to Eskom and fix aging infrastructure.

He promised direct engagement with affected communities and a clear commitment to finding long-term energy solutions.

Advancing Health and Education Reform

Lesufi emphasized readiness to implement the National Health Insurance (NHI) in Gauteng. The province plans to build and digitize hospitals starting in the new financial year to enhance healthcare accessibility and efficiency.

In the education sector, Lesufi confirmed immediate implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act. This legislation will reform school governance, language policies, and admission rules to ensure fairer access and improved learning outcomes.

A Clear Roadmap for Recovery

Lesufi’s action plan provides a detailed and aggressive roadmap for restoring public trust in service delivery. With focused interventions in housing, water, roads, crime, electricity, health, and education, Gauteng’s provincial government aims to rebuild infrastructure and restore dignity to communities.

As residents await the final report from the lekgotla, the success of Lesufi’s plan will depend on rapid implementation, accountability, and transparent communication.