DA’s arrogance in GNU talks leaves ANC vulnerable: Analyst

Independent political analyst, Goodenough Mashego, says the DA’s arrogance in the negotiation process for positions in the provincial and national legislatures has left the ANC in a vulnerable state.

He says the DA knows that if they walk away from the Government of National Unity (GNU), this will collapse KZN and Gauteng.

 “This will put the ANC in a quandary because, in KZN, MK Party will take over and in Gauteng, they will need the EFF to form a government.”

 This as the ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa is locked in deliberations with the parties in the GNU on the formation of the executive.

 Ramaphosa is expected to announce his much-anticipated cabinet in the coming days.

 The GNU is now made up of 10 signatories, including the DA, IFP, PA, GOOD, PAC, FF Plus, UDM, Rise Mzansi and Al-Jama-ah.

 These parties combined managed to secure about 70% of the votes in the recent national elections.

 The ANC says they have agreed to be bound by the foundational principles outlined in the Statement of Intent and to work together to pursue its objectives.

 The liberation movement says it remains in open communication with the parties that have not joined the GNU.

 Mashego says while the smaller parties joining the GNU might strengthen the ANC’s arm, it may not be as significant.

 He says the ANC may well even go for the option of a bloated cabinet to appease some of its allies.

 “This relationship is an economic one for parties and the ANC, it has nothing to do with politics and ideologies.”

 He says Ramaphosa has leverage in forming his cabinet in the wake of more parties joining the GNU.

 Mashego has described it as walking into a restaurant with a long menu and being spoiled for choice. 

 The DA allegedly wants key positions at national level and also wants to appoint its own directors-general.

A move that’s been slammed by many South Africans.

Current situation in GNU. pic.twitter.com/82ZhOtgqXe

— LADY M³💜 (@MapulaMokgosang) June 24, 2024

The ‘President’ must put us out of our misery and let Helen Zille announce the date on which he is going to announce her cabinet..

— Aubrey Matshiqi (@MatshiqiAubrey) June 24, 2024

Our constitution doesn’t allow for 2 Deputy Presidents, they want @JohnSteenhuise to replace DP @PMashatile , this explains all those News 24 articles, the ground was to be made fertile by those articles.

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) June 24, 2024

Gauteng GNU

 

 Deputy president of the PA, Kenny Kunene, has accused the DA of stalling the process to appoint a government in Gauteng.

 

Yesterday, Panyaza Lesufi ditched his cabinet announcement at the eleventh hour.

 

The premier alluded to the fact that negotiators of the different parties that have joined the Government of Provincial Unity needed more time.

 

Kunene says the EFF’s decision to snub the government of unity has given the DA ammunition.

 

 

 

DA leader in Gauteng, Solly Msimanga, has, however, denied the allegations by the PA.

 

He says they have a few issues that need to be ironed out before forming a government, including dealing with disputes within the unity.

 

“There were issues about decision making, what is the mechanism in terms of the decision making, what is the mechanism of introducing other parties and do we then share power with other parties.”

 

“That’s what we put to them and we were told they will apply their mind and come back to us, and next thing we hear there’ll be an announcement.

 

“We said that’s fine, we’ve never stopped it or blocked it from happening. We just said we feel uncomfortable with proceeding without all these issues having been ironed out.”