By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
David Makhura has resigned from the position of the Premier of Gauteng and a member of Gauteng Provincial Legislature, effective from 6 October 2022.
In a statement, Makhura said he handed in the letter to Gauteng legislature speaker Ntombi Mekgwe on Tuesday.
“I have served the people of Gauteng with humility, and outmost dedication and integrity through the 8 years of my tenure,” said Makhura.
A special sitting of the Gauteng provincial legislature has been called for Thursday where a new premier will be sworn into office.
Makhura and the Gauteng ANC had indicated his departure from the position last month.
He said he was not being forced out of office and that it was his desire that a new person take over the helms of province just before the 2024 elections.
The leadership shift in the province follows the election of Panyaza Lesufi as the Gauteng ANC chairperson. Lesufi is believed to be the person likely to replace Makhura.
Three preferred names were picked by the province which included Lesufi.
Makhura was elected the 6th Premier of Gauteng in May 2014, and re-elected in May 2019.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said Makhura’s exit as premier of Gauteng was “well executed” with no drama.
“He had gone public himself and said he was leaving. There is no drama, and it has been well executed. And we wish the new premier well and wish Makhura well going forward.
“If he were to head to Parliament, there would be replacements in Gauteng for him to go to Parliament, and I have not heard of any of such. Makhura has just stepped down today, and we see as matters unfold,” Ramaphosa said.
Makhura is the second ANC premier to leave office following the party’s provincial conferences.
Sihle Zikalala, following a defeat at the provincial conference, resigned and now serves as a member of the provincial executive in KwaZulu-Natal.