By JN Reporter
Following a one-and-a-half-day delay to the start of the Mofutsanyana regional conference, African National Congress (ANC) Deputy Chairperson Toto Makume has assured members that all logistical and organisational issues have been resolved and that the gathering will proceed as planne...
Despite growing public concerns and political tensions, Professor Sethulego Matebesi, a political analyst, believes the Government of National Unity (GNU) remains intact.
This comes after GNU partners faced off this week over the dismissal of the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Deputy Minister, Andrew Whitfield, by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday.
DA leader John Steenhuisen issued an ultimatum to Ramaphosa, demanding that he dismiss three of his ministers, Thembi Simelane, Minister Nkabane, and Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, within 48 hours. A deadline that is set to expire this afternoon, when the party announces its decision during a media briefing scheduled to take place at 3pm.
Matebesi firmly believes that there is still hope for GNU, stressing that both parties stand quite a big chance of losing.
“The DA will not publicly admit it, but the party has been given pivotal positions such as the Ministry of Agriculture, and neither will the ANC survive losing a partner in the GNU with such high numbers as those of the DA,” said Matebesi.
He said a decision to walk out of the GNU and relinquish vital roles in the cabinet and parliament can be expected to meet with opposition within the party itself.
When asked if this can be considered the end for the former deputy minister, Matebesi said, “Not at all… but all depends on how the DA will respond. We should not be surprised if there is a court case or an appeal by the DA because they have stipulated that there is evidence that the President did not fulfil his constitutional right in dealing with the matter”.
