​Thembisa Shologu
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has called on South Africans to reclaim their country as the nation marks 31 years of freedom and democracy.
Speaking at the Freedom Day commemoration at the Tswelopele Sports Centre in Tembisa on Sunday, Premier Lesufi said it was time for South Africans to take back what is theirs from criminals and illegal foreigners. 
"On this Freedom Day, we are reclaiming part of our freedom, taking over what belongs to us, and not allowing anyone to do wrong things in our country. Those who sell Nyaope to our children, your time is up. 
"Those that run taverns without proper documentation, your time is up. We cannot allow lawlessness in our own country," said Lesufi. 
Premier Lesufi urged the mayor to work on reopening the closed Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa.
He added that he had instructed the law enforcement agencies to invade Kempton Park and Edenvale, which have since been taken over by criminals.  
"On this Freedom Day, we are reclaiming part of our freedom, taking over what belongs to us, and not allowing anyone to do wrong things in our country. Those who sell Nyaope to our children, your time is up. 
"Kempton Park town belongs to us; it does not belong to illegal foreigners. We must reclaim Kempton Park… We cannot have parts of Kempton Park that are no-go areas for us people who were born here.
"So, we are ready. I have told the police, I am telling the Executive Mayor, and I have told the law enforcement agencies we are ready to invade Kempton Park. It is not Kempton Park alone, even Edenvale," said Premier Lesufi. 
This year's theme is: "United in resilience for the defence of our freedom and democracy."
MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Matome Chiloane, said government stood determined, unshaken, and unintimidated by every challenge confronting the republic. 
"Today is not merely a commemoration; it is an affirmation of sacrifice and a testament of resilience. It is a declaration that freedom was secured and must be defended with utmost resilience.
"In remembrance of Freedom Day, we stand upon the ground of heroes like Chris Hani, whose sacrifices and courage serve as a reminder of the freedom we now enjoy," said MEC Chiloane. 
Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza said the month of April signified a period of remembrance and reflection on the sacrifices made during the struggle for freedom in South Africa. 
Mayor Xhakaza said the city will continue to deliver services and to bring its people together. 
Xhakaza said that following the power shift in 2001 and the recent motion of no confidence, the City Council resolved to continue to govern to retain the city's stability. 
"The Council has resolved that they want stability, they want us to govern, and they did that by rejecting the motion of no confidence. 
"They did that because they believe there is a program of action, visible work that has been happening, and there has been change. They did that because they wanted us to ensure that we bring meaningful programmes that are impactful to our communities," said Xhakaza. 
At the same time, Premier Lesufi also took the opportunity to express his dismay at people who were determined to burn Tembisa Hospital. 
This is following two incidents of fire at the hospital. The first time was on 19 April 2025 at the Accident and Emergency Unit, and the second one took place three days after the first incident, on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, where key documents were destroyed.
"There are people who are hell-bent on burning Tembisa Hospital, people who are against government. Those people thought they could do as they wished, and those who had burnt the hospital thought it would be closed. 
"I have spoken to the MEC for Health; they burnt people's files; they burnt the casualty thinking the whole hospital would burn down; that is how demonic they are. 
I have instructed the police, the Crime Intelligence, and the forensics to investigate all the people who were around the hospital at the time Tembisa Hospital was burning. They must go and check them; if they are responsible, they must arrest them immediately," he added.