DA and ANC commit to working together as GNU partners
A delegation from both parties met on Friday to discuss issues related to the budget and other recent political developments.
Despite being coalition partners, the DA and ANC have recently been on opposite ends on several political issues, leading to concerns over whether a break-up is imminent.
However, DA national spokesperson Willie Aucamp said the meeting with the ANC was constructive.
"The discussions were forthright and constructive, focusing on the way forward on matters ranging from the budget to a strategy for economic growth. Similar meetings will continue, on a regular basis, as we seek to address the most pressing challenges facing South Africans in the GNU."
ALSO READ: DA describes meeting with ANC as 'cordial and constructive'
The ANC previously said the DA was willing to support it on passing national budget legislations, provided the government draws back on policies like the Basic Education Laws Amendment, Expropriation and National Health Insurance Acts.
ANC's national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, said that while the party welcomes the engagements on the budget, it will not compromise on transformation and social and economic justice.
"The meeting forms part of the ANC's continued commitment to the principles of dialogue, nation-building, and consultation in addressing the urgent budgetary processes in the national Parliament."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
35 minutes ago
- eNCA
South African Human Rights Commission investigating McKenzie
JOHANNESBURG - The South African Human Rights Commission is investigating past social media posts by Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie. The posts, dated between 2011 and 2017, resurfaced last week, prompting complaints from political parties and individuals. The Commission says the remarks appear to violate the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act. It has written to the minister, and it may take the matter to the Equality Court. The SAHRC says freedom of expression does not protect hate speech, and calls on all South Africans to respect the values of the Constitution.
The Citizen
35 minutes ago
- The Citizen
Lease probe marches on despite Public Works senior official's resignation
The top-ranking official faced the possibility of suspension before she voluntarily vacated her office. A senior official in the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has stepped down while under scrutiny for alleged irregularities involving leases and maintenance contracts. Nyeleti Mthetwa, formerly the deputy director-general (DDG) in charge of real estate management services, recently handed in her resignation after being asked to address several accusations. She also faced the possibility of suspension. The division oversees the government's vast property portfolio, which includes leasing office space for government departments – transactions valued in the billions of rands. Public Works official quits, Macpherson vows to pursue lease probe The real estate management services branch has long been plagued by claims of wrongdoing, according to Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson. Hence, the minister called on the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) last year to push for a presidential proclamation authorising investigations into suspected mismanagement, questionable payments to private landlords under lease contracts, and irregular expenses related to emergency maintenance work on facilities. 'The DDG, alongside the chief director, was sent multiple letters, and the chief director responded to all of them; and therefore, a decision was made not to place them on suspension. 'However, the DDG responded to all except the last one and instead chose to resign,' Macpherson said in a statement on Friday. ALSO READ: Zikalala slams 'spurious' allegations about R45m IDT lease deal, heads to Public Protector The minister emphasised that the probes will continue despite the resignation, stressing the department's commitment to accountability in adherence to all legal and regulatory requirements. He also noted that the investigations into the branch are part of a broader effort since he took office to restore integrity within the department and pursue those found guilty of misconduct. 'The director-general, Mr Sifiso Mdakane, and I are committed to upholding good governance, protecting public resources, and ensuring our property portfolio is used for the benefit of all South Africans. 'This is how we will turn South Africa into a construction site, grow the economy, and create jobs,' Macpherson added. IDT scandal This development comes just a week after the head of the Independent Development Trust (IDT), which falls under the Department of Public Works, became embroiled in a bribery scandal. IDT chief executive officer (CEO) Tebogo Malaka was allegedly filmed offering a journalist R60 000 in cash, reportedly in a bid to halt reporting on an investigation into one of the entity's contracts and a luxury property she owns in Waterfall, Gauteng. The incident happened only days after Malaka was suspended, following findings from a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) investigation that uncovered irregularities tied to the IDT's R836 million oxygen plant project. The initiative was intended to deliver oxygen systems to 60 public hospitals nationwide. According to the PwC report, both Malaka and the trust's general manager of supply chain management, Molebedi Sisi, played central roles in signing off on the contracts at the heart of the scandal. Disciplinary action was recommended against the senior officials involved. NOW READ: Fake licence and ballooned budget: PwC report places IDT seniors at centre of R800m oxygen tender
Eyewitness News
2 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Chaotic start to National Dialogue as delegates criticise government
JOHANNESBURG - It's been a chaotic first leg of the National Dialogue, with some delegates at its precursor event, the national convention taking government to task over the state of the country. On Friday, the convention kicked off at UNISA's main campus in Pretoria. Representatives from civil society, NGOs and other sectoral groups met to finalise the modalities of the engagements, which will take place over the next nine months, across the country. READ: Government to utilise own facilities for National Dialogue to cut costs The National Dialogue got off to an uncomfortable start with one of the attendees fainting and requiring medical assistance. At one point, a man wandered onto the stage and started arguing with a panel member before he was ushered away by security. Some delegates were unhappy with not being given platforms to address the government officials in attendance. 'We are foot soldiers, we know what's happening on the ground, and if you say it's a national dialogue for us, you can't shut us down. It's sad that you're here because the 2026 elections are coming and you're trying to buy our silence.' Another delegate accused the government of failing to uphold its commitments, stating: 'The government has not kept its commitment, they are liars; they want you to go out so that we cannot address you on the crimes of the government, government is.' Organisers of the National Dialogue said they are aiming to engage at least ten million South Africans by the end of the process.
