JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says his cabinet shakeup is a necessary move aimed at preventing a looming financial crisis in the province.
On Wednesday, Lesufi announced the appointment of Economic Freedom Fighters' Nkululeko Dunga from the EFF as Finance MEC.
Dunga takes over from Lebogang Maile who has now been moved to Education and Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
READ | Panyaza Lesufi reshuffles Gauteng cabinet, brings in EFF
"We had to stop a catastrophe that was about to happen," Lesufi said on the decision.
"We had until the 31st of March to pass a budget and if we didn't, could not pay teachers, we could not pay nurses, children could not get food, the entire administration of government would have come to a halt."
He said the looming crisis necessitated them to take tough decisions.
"We had a situation where the entire budget, almost R170 billion and adjusted figures declared irregular where government departments can't function. We had to go in emergency discussions with political parties to say for the interest of our citizens, for the interest of service delivery, can't we work together so that we don't disrupt this," said Lefusi.
Earlier this month, oppositions parties in Gauteng rejected the budget for 2026/7, which grew by R3.6 billion from the previous financial year, saying it focuses on wrong priorities.
"If the ruling party keeps the service delivery departments, you need somebody who can come and provide administrative support. It was within that context that we felt both the EFF to lead Treasury and Rise Mzansi to lead the economic posture of our province. So we believe it's a good combination."