The ANC and DA leadership's failure in Gauteng to mirror a political leadership similar to President Cyril Ramaphosa's government of national unity (GNU) cabinet weeks after power-sharing negotiations has sparked debate.
Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi announced his executive on Wednesday, consisting mainly of the ANC with seven MEC positions and one each to the PA, IFP and Rise Mzansi. The DA was not part of the executive as the two parties were not able to find middle ground.
The DA being absent from the provincial executive has sparked debate about how this would affect the standing of the government of national unity.
Gauteng DA leader Solly Msimanga said the party had declined to be part of the Gauteng unity government because the ANC negotiated in bad faith.
It is impossible for the DA to be co-opted into government, as we are meant to be power-sharing partners. We will not be functionaries who rubber-stamp decisions made by an executive that evidently is intent on keeping us on the edge of the fray.
