ANC Gauteng meeting: Lesufi says service delivery remains key priority

JOHANNESBURG - African National Congress (ANC) Gauteng co-convener Panyaza Lesufi says the party won't take any shortcuts on service delivery, as it prepares for the upcoming local government elections set for next year or early 2027. 

Lesufi, who is also Gauteng's premier, made the remarks during the closing of a two-day Lekgotla in Joburg on Sunday.

The party met to address some of its challenges before its provincial conference and to prepare for its local government elections strategy.

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Lesufi said there is a renewed commitment to reclaim the ANC's top spot in the province, noting a return to the basics, including service delivery and addressing what he calls Gauteng's 13-plus-one. 

"We have added them to be the Gauteng plus one in order to accommodate the sinkholes that have ravaged the municipality of Merafong and the City of Tshwane."

He said water and electricity provision, addressing lawlessness and fixing infrastructure remain key.

"We are proud to report that on each and every issue, all our commissions, in the past two days, have been hard at work in making firm proposals which we will share with you later as we consolidate the report of this Lekgotla."