Snl24 | Cabinet clash! DA not happy with ANC’s offer

DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille, who said they can’t agree to be taken hostage in a Government of Provincial Unity. Photo from X

THE Democratic Alliance (DA) is fed up with the African National Congress (ANC)! 

The two parties have been discussing and negotiating for the past two weeks on how to form the Gauteng Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).

Despite some progress in the negotiations, the two parties have not yet agreed on the distribution of positions each party will hold in the government. 

The DA provincial leader, Solly Msimanga, suggested that the DA should receive at least four MEC portfolios, which include infrastructure, education or health, transport, and economic development.

However, the ANC insisted on offering only three portfolios. 

“Till now, the ANC has been prepared to offer the DA a maximum of three out of ten Cabinet seats, without specifying how many seats they intend to take for themselves, and how many they propose to offer to other parties,” stated DA Federal Council chairwoman Helen Zille. 

She revealed that the ANC conceded on Tuesday, 2 July, that they had planned to allocate three seats to the DA and seven to themselves, out of a cabinet of 11 (including the ANC Premier).

“This division falls far short of the requirements set out in Clause 16 of the Declaration of Intent, given that the DA comprises 45% and the ANC 55% of the GPU,” Zille explained. 

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She added that the arrangement also excluded the IFP, which has been part of the national agreement from the start. Zille criticised: “The ANC’s position also showed that their refusal to discuss with us which other parties they wished to include was a smokescreen to hide the fact that they were planning to allocate a full seven to themselves, while leaving us with three. 

“Allocating more than double the number of executive positions to the ANC compared to the DA does not reflect the election outcome, nor is it broadly proportional, nor is it inclusive.” 

The ANC has since offered to reduce their position from seven to six and give one position to either the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) or Patriotic Alliance. 

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi had promised to finally announce MECs for the 7th administration on Monday night, 1 July but postponed it at the last minute. 

The DA said it welcomed the IFP’s possible inclusion but pointed out that this was still far short of the requirements of Clause 16 of the national Statement of Intent.

DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille said: “We are prepared to enter the GPU in Gauteng as a power-sharing partnership, to reflect the will of the electorate. We are not prepared to be co-opted by the ANC on their own terms, acting as if it still has an overall majority. We cannot agree to be taken hostage in a Government of Provincial Unity.” 

Meanwhile, the ANC is expected to brief the media on Wednesday, 3 July on the new development relating to GPU.