Cape Town – As negotiations between the ANC and the DA for forming a Government of National Unity (GNU) teeter on the brink, President Cyril Ramaphosa has accused the DA of jeopardising the foundation of the GNU with their demands.
In a letter to DA leader John Steenhuisen, Ramaphosa criticised the DA for “moving the goalposts” after the ANC’s final offer of six Cabinet posts was met with demands for two additional posts.
Ramaphosa admonished the DA for preferring written correspondence over face-to-face negotiations, which he argued undermines transparency and focuses too much on public opinion.
“Matters of national importance, such as these, are best conducted in face-to-face negotiations. Only when both sides agree that the discussions between them have reached a level of maturity and advance should they be reduced to writing, to live up to the principle of transparency.”
He also accused the DA of attempting to establish an illegal “parallel government” and criticised their handling of director-general contracts.
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa penned this FINAL LETTER to DA Leader John Steenhuisen after he responded to their meeting and the proposals put on the table on the formation of the GNU Executive. The deal with the DA is on a knives edge over the Department of Trade and… pic.twitter.com/H6MxJzasCB
— #LordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) June 27, 2024
“I regard your approach in moving the goalposts as a continuation of what was articulated in your Federal Chair’s letter of 22 June 2024 on issues such as ‘sealed mandates’ of Ministries, through which the DA seemed to want to set up a parallel government that would operate outside the framework and parameters of the Constitution-based method and protocols of running the government of the Republic of South Africa.
“I also prefer not to deal further with the legally incompetent proposals to unilaterally re-determine contractual arrangements of directors-general and other contracts. I did inform you that I felt we should not dwell on the misguided propositions contained in that letter as paying attention to the contents of that letter would divert us from the task at hand, of constituting a GNU,” Ramaphosa wrote.
He emphasised the importance of reflecting genuine inclusiveness in the GNU, taking into account the number of seats parties hold in the National Assembly and the national interest, while retaining presidential discretion in forming the Cabinet.
Ramaphosa stressed the urgency of concluding negotiations to end the current “paralysis” and remain open to further discussions.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
