WATCH | Hlabisa concerned over GNU and cabinet announcement

Hlabisa

Cape Town — The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader, Velenkosini Hlabisa, is calling for the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) to put their differences aside and move forward with the Government of National Unity (GNU).

The IFP are one of 10 parties in the GNU and, while good progress was made during the early stages of negotiations, the talks have now stalled after the ANC and DA clashed heads over cabinet positions.

The DA had demanded 12 cabinet positions, including deputy positions. This stance led to President Ramaphosa issuing a scathing letter to DA leader, John Steenhuisen.

Hlabisa expressed his concern over the delay has asked for the two parties to come together to sort out their issues and announce the GNU, in the best interests of South Africa.

“We understood that there would be necessary teething problems in forming the government of national unity… Now, however, like all South Africans, the IFP is growing concerned. Our concern is for a country that is eager to move forward, that governance must begin. We cannot remain in a holding pattern where there is so much to be done,” Hlabisa said.

“It is essential that the President, as the Constitution allows him, be able to reach the stage of announcing the new cabinet. The IFP is thus calling on the ANC, the DA, and any other party, to conclude the outstanding issues between them without further delay,” he added.

Hlabisa said the IFP remains committed to serving the people of South Africa and is ready to play its part in the GNU.

Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Picture: X/@ProximaAge

For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com

Compiled by Matthew Petersen

Article written by