Johannesburg – Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) Nkululeko Dunga will be sworn in today, Thursday, 2 April 2026, as the new Gauteng Member of the Executive Council (MEC) responsible for Finance.
The Deputy Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Aubrey Phago Ledwaba, will preside over the swearing-in ceremony of Dunga as MEC responsible for Finance.
Dunga previously served as the Finance MMC in Ekurhuleni.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced Dunga’s appointment in a major cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday, 1 April 2026, incorporating the EFF into the African National Congress (ANC)-led Government of Provincial Unity.
Dunga, the EFF Gauteng chairperson, replaces the ANC’s Lebogang Maile as Finance MEC.
Maile was moved to Education, Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation, taking over from Matome Chiloane, who has been axed.
Nomantu-Nkomo Ralehoko has been moved from Health to Social Development, and Faith Mazibuko has moved to Health.
During his address to the media in Johannesburg, Premier Lesufi said the changes aim to stabilise governance.
“The ANC gave us a go-ahead to engage other political parties to strengthen the executive council,” Lesufi said.
“We engaged with the DA [Democratic Alliance], EFF, and uMkhonto weSizwe [Party], and after broad consultations, we decided to make changes that add the Economic Freedom Fighters to the executive council.”
The rest of the cabinet positions:
- E-Government MEC is Bonginkosi Dlamini (Inkatha Freedom Party)
- Roads and Transport MEC – Kedibone Diale-Tlabela (ANC)
- Economic Development and Agriculture – MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa (Rise Mzansi)
- Human Settlements MEC – Tasneem Motara (ANC)
- Infrastructure Development and Cooperative Governance MEC – Jacob Mamabolo (ANC)
- Environment MEC – Ewan Botha (Patriotic Alliance)
The EFF stated: “The appointment of Commissar Dunga is welcomed with confidence, as the EFF firmly believes in his leadership capabilities, discipline, and ability to work within a collective while safeguarding and advancing the political programme of the EFF”.
Commenting on the Cabinet Reshuffle, Solly Msimanga, DA MPL and Leader of the Official Opposition in Gauteng, said: “Lesufi’s desperation to push against the ANC’s national leadership and the Government of National Unity is taking him to new heights.
“He has paid a high price to the EFF to save his position and Ekurhuleni.
“This decision by Premier Lesufi will not benefit the residents of Gauteng.
“It will draw the EFF into the executive for him to have an alliance ahead of the local government elections later this year.”
