ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has rejected DA leader John Steenhuisen’s proposal for the party to get eight ministerial positions in addition to the six offered to them by the ANC.
In a letter dated June 25, responding to a correspondence Steenhuisen sent Ramaphosa on June 24, he said the DA’s recent proposals for eight ministerial cabinet positions have “jeopardised the foundation of setting up a government of national unity”.
On Monday, Steenhuisen said the DA accepted the ANC’s offer to grant the party six ministerial cabinet positions. These are Home Affairs, Basic Education, Trade, Industry and Competition, Public Works and Infrastructure. Also Communications and Digital Technologies, and Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
The DA also accepted the ANC’s offer for four deputy minister positions for the DA. These are Finance, Energy and Electricity and Small Business Development. Also a fourth deputy minister position that is yet to be fully determined.
DA accepted offer, but wants more
Steenhuisen said the DA has accepted the offers. However, the party wants two more ministerial positions. This to bring their total number of ministerial positions to eight.
The options mentioned by DA are Sports, Arts and Culture. Also Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform or Public Service and Administration.
Steenhuisen said the DA’s deputy minister positions should be the same number as the number of ministerial positions.
Ramaphosa told Steenhuisen that the ANC will not accept the DA’s latest proposals for two more ministerial cabinet positions.
“In its recent proposals, I believe the DA has jeopardised the foundation of setting up a government of national unity. [This it did] by moving the goalposts in your letter of 24 June 2024 to me.
Ramaphosa says demand not aligned with Statement of Intent
“I am truly taken aback by how you now want two more portfolios to bring the DA’s portfolios to eight… The latest proposals by the DA do not, I am afraid, align with the principles adopted and encapsulated in the Statement of Intent.
“The way they have been submitted undermines the process we had committed to following. [Which is] an open, grounded, consistent, constitutionally compliant, engagements. Honouring the collective understanding of our goal to create a government that reflects the will of the people.
“We are unable to accede to the DA’s latest proposals. Nor its continuously changing interpretation of the meaning of the Statement of Intent and moving the goalposts. Any discussions with the DA must therefore start with a need for an understanding of the principles embraced by all the parties to the Statement of Intent.
“I am sure you are aware that the DA is not the only party we are negotiating with on the setting up of the government of national unity. Following my meeting with you yesterday [Monday], we have continued our negotiations with other parties that wish to be part of the GNU,” said Ramaphosa.
ANC in talks with other parties
“As the ANC is leading the process of these negotiations, we have had to consider the proposals from other parties. And therefore, what we discussed yesterday [Monday] stands to be reconsidered. As you made clear to me that ‘you would not be able to get less than the number of portfolios the DA desired over the line with your Fedex’.
“I must advise that we are continuing to hold discussions with other parties over the portfolios they could occupy. [This] as we seek to finalise the agreement on the GNU. I need to advise that the task of setting up government is quite urgent. As we cannot continue with this paralysis. I intend to conclude all negotiations and consultations this week. Until then, I remain open to having further discussions with you,” added Ramaphosa.
