Gauteng has a new premier in former MEC for education Panyaza Lesufi who was elected during a special sitting of the legislature on Thursday.

Lesufi defeated Democratic Alliance candidate Solly Msimanga by 16 votes. He received 38 of the 60 votes that were cast while Msimanga got 22.

There were 13 members that did not vote.

His election comes as a result of the resignation of former premier David Makhura who has been at the helm of the province since 2014.