Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has appointed Education, Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC Lebogang Maile as Acting Premier while he takes sick leave.
Maile will assume the position from Thursday, 3 September, until Tuesday, 8 September 2026.
The appointment has been made in terms of Section 131(1)(a) and Section 13 of the Constitution, which provide for an acting premier to perform the functions of the provincial executive when the premier is unable to do so.
According to a statement from the Gauteng Provincial Government, “Maile will assume the duties, authority and responsibilities of the Office of the Premier to ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the Gauteng Provincial Government.”
The provincial government says the temporary arrangement is intended to allow Lesufi to recover fully before returning to his duties.
Lesufi has been at the centre of Gauteng’s political and administrative affairs since taking office as premier, with his administration facing pressure to improve service delivery, particularly in areas including education, healthcare, infrastructure and local government.
Maile, meanwhile, is a senior figure within the Gauteng government and the ANC in the province. His appointment places him at the helm of the provincial administration for the next several days, although there is no indication that he is being permanently considered for the position.
The Acting Premier will therefore oversee the day-to-day functioning of the provincial government while Lesufi remains on sick leave.
The provincial government has not provided further details about the nature of Lesufi’s illness, saying the arrangement is intended to give the Premier an opportunity to recover fully.
