Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. (Photo by Fani Mafuntsi/Galo Images via Getty Images)
GPrime Minister Panyaza Lesufi has again postponed the announcement of the Executive Council due to an impasse in negotiations between the ANC and the Democratic Alliance (DA) over the composition of the provincial cabinet.
Lesufi was due to announce the members of the executive committee on Monday night but this was postponed after the DA threatened to boycott the talks.
ANC provincial secretary TK Nchiza told a press conference on Monday that the party would not agree to the DA's demands. He said Lesufi would announce the Gauteng executive by Tuesday to give him more time to consult with the DA.
“We do not expect to be intimidated by the prosecuting authority here in Gauteng, that is why we are here,” Nchiza said, adding that the process could have been concluded two weeks ago.
“Other parties will be invited and they must understand that the ANC will lead the provincial assembly. [unity] “The government,” he said.
The ANC lost its majority in the province in the May 29 general election, winning just 34.76% of the vote, 15.43 percentage points lower than in 2019. The DA's support remained little changed at 27.44% from 27.46%, while the EFF fell to 12.92% from 14.67% in 2019. Newcomer MK party won 9.79% of the vote in the province.
Ntziza declined to say which parties the Democratic Alliance was refusing to work with, but denied that the ANC in Gauteng was under pressure from the party's Luthuli House headquarters to work with the DA.
The ANC has a coalition agreement with the EFF in the province, and the DA had previously refused to work with the Red Berets, declaring the party its “number one enemy”.
Nziza said the ANC would continue to hold talks with other parties, including Jacob Zuma's Umkhonto weSizwe and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), but would not join the provincial executive.
ANC Gauteng executive committee member Lebogang Maile accused the DA in the province of blackmailing the ANC, telling reporters: “They think they are in charge. We are not led by the DA.”
He said the ANC wanted to work with all political parties, including those with one seat in the Gauteng provincial legislature.
Maile said the ANC had finished negotiations with other parties and “it's only the DA that is behaving like a spoiled brat.”
Gauteng ANC deputy secretary Tasneem Motala confirmed that the MEC's announcement would not be made on Monday as the dispute with the DA was still ongoing.
DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said he met with the ANC on Monday morning to discuss the party's proposal, adding that Lesufi had promised to respond by 4pm but this did not happen.
“The ANC has not responded to us. If they think they can make an announcement without prior negotiations then the deal is doomed,” Msimanga said, sounding frustrated.
He refused to give details of the DA's proposal to the media, citing ongoing discussions.
Last week, Luthuli House reportedly instructed Mr Lesufi not to announce a cabinet that excluded the DA after the Blue Party demanded five MEC posts.
The cabinet that Lesufi was about to announce included one Patriotic Alliance seat, one Inkatha Freedom Party seat and one Rise Mzansi seat. The DA rejected the proposal for three MEC seats.
Mr Lesufi's spokesperson, Sizwe Pamula, confirmed that the delay in the state government's appointment was due to consideration of political leaders who needed to give their approval.
“The negotiators asked for more time but we have no choice but to comply as we are not very involved in political issues,” Pamla added.