EFF Demands DA Retract Statements Before Supporting Lesufi Motion

JOHANNESBURG —

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng insists the Democratic Alliance (DA) must publicly retract “inflammatory” statements before it will consider backing a motion against Premier Panyaza Lesufi.

The Red Berets accused the DA of political inconsistency, saying it cannot both denounce them publicly and seek their support privately for the planned motion of no confidence (EFF statement).

DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga intends to table the motion over the unlawful establishment of the Gauteng Traffic Wardens (AmaPanyaza), citing findings in a Public Protector report.

The DA faces a numerical challenge: It holds 22 seats in the 80-seat legislature and requires 41 votes for success. With the ANC-led coalition holding 32 seats, the EFF’s 11 votes are crucial.

EFF caucus leader Philip Makwala confirmed receiving Msimanga’s invitation for talks about the October 2025 motion but stated cooperation requires mutual respect (EFF letter).

The party insists the DA must retract and apologize for specific statements, including:

• John Steenhuisen declaring the EFF “political enemy number one” (2 April 2023)
• Steenhuisen calling the EFF “dangerous demagogues” (30 July 2023)
• Steenhuisen warning of a “doomsday coalition” if EFF governed (5 April 2024)
• Helen Zille claiming ANC-EFF coalition would “spook investors” and “tank the economy” (30 May 2024)
• Steenhuisen stating the DA “joined hands with the ANC to keep the EFF out of power” (22 May 2025)
• A DA assertion that its GNU participation aimed to “prevent the EFF and MK from ever getting their hands on the levers of executive power” (17 July 2024)

The DA has not responded to the EFF’s demands. (No response at time of publication).

Should the DA reject these conditions, Premier Lesufi will likely retain his position despite the Public Protector’s findings on the AmaPanyaza programme.