DA unhappy about being offered two MEC positions in Gauteng
DA unhappy about being offered two MEC positions in Gauteng
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng says the African National Congress (ANC) is only offering it two MEC positions.
Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi was expected to announce the members of the executive council (MEC) on Monday night, however, the highly-anticipated announcement was postponed for the second time.
DA AND ANC DISAGREE ON MEC POSITIONS IN GAUTENG
As per the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), no political party achieved an outright majority in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections. Support for the ANC in Gauteng declined from 50% in 2019 to just 36%.
Nationally, support also declined to just 40% forcing the liberation party to work with other political parties to form government for the seventh administration.
Here’s how many seats political parties have in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature:
- ANC – 28
- DA – 22
- EFF – 11
- MK PARTY – 8
- ACTIONSA – 3
- PA – 2
- VF PLUS – 2
- ACDP – 1
- BOSA – 1
- IFP – 1
- RISE MZANSI – 1
During a media briefing on Monday, the ANC in Gauteng accused the DA of negotiating in bad faith and behaving like a spoilt brat.
ANC Gauteng Secretary T
Following the postponement, DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said the ANC wants to hold on to the majority of the positions as it [ANC] is only offering the DA two MEC positions.
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Msimanga said they have been engaging in good faith from day one and they understood the principle of saying the bigger party will get the role of the Premier.
“The DA is being offered two MEC positions and two chairpersons positions and we’re asking if this is a true reflection of. A party that obtained 38% of votes wants to hold on to eight positions and only give two to the DA and one to another party.
“We said that we can engage and negotiate around this and the ANC said it will consult its PEC and come back to us at 16:00. Thereafter, we saw a media statement that they are ready to make an announcement,” he explained.