The Democratic Alliance (DA) has decided to boycott the newly proposed government of provincial unity in Gauteng due to unresolved disagreements with the African National Congress (ANC).
The conflict centers around the ANC’s alleged offer of two Member of the Executive Council (MEC) positions to the DA, which the DA declined, hoping for more significant representation. This disagreement follows a week-long delay in the province’s announcement of the new government structure due to unfinished negotiations.
Despite initial reports, the ANC in Gauteng clarified that the DA was never formally part of the government of national unity (GNU) because an agreement was never reached. The DA confirmed this, stating that no deal had been made with Premier Panyaza Lesufi regarding the allocation of portfolios.
The new Executive Council will be responsible for leading the Gauteng government over the next five years, focusing on implementing the province’s Programme of Action and economic growth interventions to improve the quality of life for residents. Premier Panyaza Lesufi is expected to announce his cabinet soon.
The DA has asserted its role as the opposition, emphasizing that it will not collaborate with the ANC, particularly since the premier announced the government structure without consulting them. In response, Lebohang Maile, a member of the ANC’s provincial executive committee, stated that the ANC would not cater to the DA’s demands.
Maile emphasized that the current arrangement is not a coalition but a unity government, and criticized the DA’s attitude. “The ANC in Gauteng does not want a coalition with the DA; it will not have a coalition with the DA. The ANC will work with all parties, including the DA. It should not behave as if we are in a coalition,” he said.
Maile reiterated that the ANC is forming a unity government in Gauteng and is inviting other parties to participate. However, he accused the DA of acting divisively. “The DA is behaving as if it is ‘us and them,'” he added.
As the political tension continues, the formation and functionality of the new Gauteng government will be closely watched to see how these disputes affect governance and service delivery in the province.