Gauteng DA Unhappy With Panyaza Lesufi, Solly Msimanga Demands Action From Premier Over Rising Crime

• The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has taken issue with the rising crime rate in the province
• Provincial leader Solly Msimanga handed over a memorandum to Premier Panyaza Lesufi
• The DA has often been critical of Lesufi and has previously threatened to file a motion of no confidence

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

GAUTENG – The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Solly Msimanga thinks it may be time for Panyaza Lesufi to go if he can’t do his job.

Msimanga, the party’s Provincial Legislature leader in Gauteng, has accused the Premier of the province of not being serious about fighting crime.

Members of the DA gathered outside the premier’s office in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 27 August 2025, where Msimanga made the statement.

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Why are the DA unhappy with Lesufi?

Speaking to members outside the offices, where the DA handed over a memorandum to Lesufi’s office, Msimanga raised issues with the crime rate in the province and the lack of resources at police stations. The party has voiced concerns about the lack of vehicles at some police stations in Gauteng.

"We are seeing more vehicles around this building (Lesufi’s office) than you would have at certain police stations. So, we are saying that this cannot continue to happen. If he (Lesufi) is not willing to engage us and not willing to listen, then perhaps it is time for him to go," Msimanga said.

DA frustrated by under-resourced police stations

Msimanga added that they just wanted adequate resources for the police, saying that there were critical issues and shortages across the 144 police stations in Gauteng.

He also noted the high levels of crime in the province and how police were unable to deal with it.

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"Certain police stations, come nine o'clock in the evening, they are closed down. They are literally closed. You’ll be told to come back the next day.

“Certain police stations don’t even have working telephone lines. So, if you don’t have a cellphone number of a constable or a detective working at a particular police station, you are out of luck. You are not then going to be able to reach the police," he explained.

The DA’s memorandum is not the first time the party has voiced criticism of Lesufi.

What you need to know about the DA’s unhappiness with Lesufi

• In September 2024, the DA called on Lesufi to remove Arnold Malotana as Gauteng’s Head of Health.
• In October 2024, the party demanded that Lesufi release forensic reports, saying he was covering up for comrades.
• Lesufi hit back at the DA, saying that he was tired of the party’s obsession with him.
• Lesufi accused the DA in October 2024 of launching a smear campaign to remove him as Premier.
• In February 2025, the DA confirmed that it was building towards ousting Lesufi.

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DA criticises Lesufi over unemployment rate

Briefly News reported that the DA previously criticised Lesufi's leadership of the province over the unemployment stats.

In May 2025, it was reported that Gauteng’s unemployment rate officially increased to 34.7% in the first quarter of 2025.

The DA were not impressed that 2.7 million residents were without a job in the province.

Source: Briefly News