Simon Nare
President Cyril Ramaphosa has accused the DA of jeopardising the formation of the government of national unity by constantly moving goalposts with its demands and by continuing to misinterpret the multi-party coalition Statement of Intent to suit its demands.
Ramaphosa in a leaked letter addressed DA leader John Steenhuisen where he acknowledged their face-to-face meeting, lashed out at the party for aspiring to create a parallel government to work outside the parameters and framework of the country’s constitution.
The President referred to another letter from DA Federal chairperson Helen Zille’s letter in which she made mention of “sealed ministries” which Ramaphopsa described as an attempt to create a parallel government.
‘I also prefer not to deal further with the legally incompetent proposals to unilaterally redetermine contractual arrangements of Directors General and other contracts.
“I did inform you that I felt that we should not dwell on the misguided propositions contained in that letter as paying attention to the contents of the letter would divert us from the task at hand of constituting a Government of National Unity,” wrote the President.
Ramaphosa also took issue with Steenhuisen’s demand for two more Cabinet positions than what the two discussed in a physical meeting and agreed on. The DA was acting in a selfish manner as there are other parties in the GNU that needed to be accommodated, said the President.
Steenhuisen in his leaked letter to Ramaphosa after their physical meeting revealed that the DA had been offered Home Affairs, Basic Education, Trade, Industry and Competition, Public Works and Infrastructure, Communications and Digital Technologies as well as Forestry, Fisheries and Environment.
He also confirmed that Ramaphosa had given them Deputy Minister positions with full cabinet committee rights in finance, energy and electricity, small business development and any other to replace the trade, industry and competition.
Although this was less than half of the DA initial demand of 11 Cabinet positions and as many deputy ministers, Steenhuisen had accepted the offer which he said was satisfactory and set the path for the formation of Cabinet and government.
Steenhuisen had welcomed the offered portfolios on the basis of their seniority and significance and pointed out in the letter that this would push negotiations closer to a historic formation of Cabinet and government that would work in the best interest of the country.
However, Steenhuisen demanded two more Cabinet positions which he said would be in line with what his party deserved based on the number of seats it had secured.
“This will enable us to get South Africa onto a new trajectory of growth, hope and opportunity. I would like to further thank you for placing the offer on the table of the following Cabinet,” wrote Steenhuisen.
Ramaphosa in a responding letter was rather shocked and sounded irritated by the additional demand.
“The latest proposal by the DA does not, I am afraid, align with the principles adopted and encapsulated in the Statement of Intent. We are unable to accede to the DA’s latest proposal nor its continuously changing interpretation meaning of the Statement of Intent and moving goalposts,” he said.
The President said any discussion with the DA from now on must start with the understanding of the principles of the Statement of Intent. He went further to remind Steenhuisen there were other parties to consider in the allocation of Cabinet positions and negotiations were continuing in that regard.
“I need to inform you that the task of setting up a government is quite urgent and we cannot continue with the paralysis. I intend to conclude all negotiations and consultations this week. Until then I remain open to having further discussions with you,” concluded the President.
Reports have since emerged on Thursday that Ramaphosa has been forced to renege on the original offer after a meeting with ANC officials on Wednesday night who advised against the relinquishing of the Trade, Industry and Competition as the portfolio was key to the party’s transformation agenda.
The Business Day reported that the DA regarded the ANC’s trade and industry policy as protectionist and is in favour of increasing market access through the use of comparative advantage as well as specialisation.
The paper reported that the DA would prefer to scrap sector master plans, has a different approach to redress through BEE and doesn’t support the minister having the power to intervene in mergers and acquisitions to pursue public interest.
Steenhuisen was upbeat after the offer even though he had reservations about the number of Cabinet positions offered and demanded that it should be increased to eight Cabinet positions.
He went on to suggest the two more portfolios should be either from Sports, Arts and Culture, Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform or Public Service and Administration. Further Steenhuisen said his party would prefer to have public sector negotiations to be moved to the Minister of Finance, clearly in a move to avoid dealing with labour unions.
“I am proposing these three options as alternatives to a Minister in The Presidency, Transport and International Relations as I accept your rationale for assigning these to the ANC.
“Assigning two of these portfolios to the DA would take our quantum in Cabinet from six to eight, which would satisfy clause 16 (of the Letter of Intent) by better reflecting the will of the people as expressed in the electoral outcome while also taking into account the national interest,” wrote Steenhuisen.
He added that the number of deputy minister positions should similarly be increased.
Steenhuisen pointed out there was concern within his party that the DA is sacrificing “from our proportional allocation more than the ANC. On a pure proportional basis, out of a Cabinet of 30, the DA’s share of support within the GNU translates to nine positions rather than the six that are currently on the table.
“Similarly, we cannot see the rationale for reducing the number of DA Deputy Ministries to only four. Logic would dictate that this quantum would be the same, or close to, the number of Cabinet portfolios.
“Overall, it is difficult to see how reducing our quantum in this way gives expression to clause 16 of the Statement of Intent, as it is neither reflective of the electoral outcomes nor the national interest.
“It is going to be extremely difficult for me to get my party to accept a third of the ANC’s allocation when we won more than half the number of votes of the ANC. However, in terms of the quality of the portfolios listed above – both in Cabinet and in terms of Deputy Ministries – the DA is satisfied and regards these as a serious offer”.
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