President Cyril Ramaphosa has slammed the Democratic Alliance (DA), saying he believes the party has jeopardised the founding foundations of the Government of National Unity (GNU) negotiations.
President Ramaphosa made the comments in his final letter to Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen regarding the recent cabinet negotiations.
This comes as negotiations between the DA and the African National Congress (ANC) appear to have stalled over the Department of Trade and Industry portfolio.
Ramaphosa also called on the ANC to give the party two more posts and accused the DA of shifting “goalposts” by increasing the number of cabinet posts to eight.
Meanwhile, the DA is due to hold a special Federal Executive (Fedex) meeting later on Thursday to discuss the ANC's proposed cabinet split.
According to the letter seen by SABC News, the ANC has proposed that the DA appoint six ministers and seven deputy ministers. The DA will reportedly reject the ANC's proposal, leaving the party's federation to decide whether to withdraw from the GNU.
DA federal council chairperson Helen Zile previously wrote to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula informing him the party wanted either the deputy presidential position or minister in the presidency.
The DA also wants to establish a key economy ministry, which would include governance, social security, communications and internal relations.
DA leader John Steenhausen held one-on-one talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this week as the two parties tried to negotiate an agreement.
Professor Setulego Matebesi of the University of the Free State commented on the current impasse: