Newly elected Gauteng premier Paul Mashatile talked tough on crime in his first address to the provincial legislature on Tuesday, describing it as the "number one enemy".

Mashatile, the former MEC for finance and economic affairs, was elected and sworn in by Judge Phineas Mojapelo, succeeding Mbhazima Shilowa, who resigned out of loyalty to ousted former president Thabo Mbeki.

"Crime is our number one enemy... As government, we want our people to live in a crime-free society," Mashatile told the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.

"In the coming months, we will strengthen our crime prevention efforts by building a strong movement against crime in partnership with our people and civil society organisations.

"In the coming months, we will strengthen the criminal justice system," he promised.

Mashatile's appointment ? which takes effect immediately ? was welcomed by opposition parties who all paid tribute to outgoing premier Shilowa.

He thanked Shilowa

He too thanked Shilowa for his "sterling work" in leading the provincial government.

"As my team and I today take over a solid house built on a firm foundation, we will make sure that this house is properly maintained," said Mashatile, who made only one change to Shilowa's team and that was to replace himself as the MEC of finance.

The new job goes to the ANC's former provincial chief whip, Mandla Nkomfe, while Lindiwe Maseko takes over as chief whip.

The Gauteng leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance, Jack Bloom, had some advice for the newly elected premier, who enjoys a reputation for his lavish spending habits on government credit cards.

"Enjoy good food and drink, but at your own expense ... don't dodge corruption and inefficiency, appoint independent inquiries and hold people accountable. Remember that we are servants to the public, not the other way round," said Bloom.

Mashatile, who will celebrate his 47th birthday on 21 October, made news headlines in 2006 when he spent nearly R100 000 on a dinner at the posh Auberge Michel restaurant in Sandton.

He used his government credit card to entertain colleagues from the economics and treasury departments and Gauteng Shared Services Centre.

He spent R250 000 on bills

However, his office dismissed suggestions that there was anything untoward about his R96 000 post-Budget speech dinner bill.

Mashatile reportedly spent more than R250 000 on restaurant bills in the five months from February to June in 2006.

Asked about this at a media conference after his address to the legislature, Mashatile said: "As government, we organise functions and meet with stakeholders. That is part of government and when we do that, we'll spend that money... We will of course ensure that we do that prudently, we won't do it wastefully."

Mashatile is a long-time ANC member but landed in hot water last year when he announced a new railroad project for Soweto without discussing it with the national government.

Mashatile, who was detained without trial by the apartheid regime under the state of emergency from 1985 to 1989, has held several positions in the ruling party.

He was the MEC for housing in Gauteng between 1999 and 2004 and the MEC for transport and public works from 1996 to 1999.

Mashatile was the provincial secretary of the ANC national executive committee in Gauteng between 1992 and 1996.

He went to the Alexandra High School in Gauteng and holds a post-graduate diploma in Economic Principles from the University of London, according to the Who's Who website.

Mashatile is married with two sons and two daughters.