The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng says it will gladly occupy opposition benches in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, and play the role of an effective opposition after Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced his executive council.
Negotiations between the provincial ANC led by Lesufi, which garnered 34.7% of the vote, and the DA in Gauteng which secured 27.4% of the provincial vote in the May polls deadlocked on the allocation of seats in the executive, forcing the DA to decline the offer by the ANC to be incorporated in a government of provincial unity.
IOL reported on Wednesday night that Lesufi had unveiled his provincial executive of largely ANC Members of Executive Council (MECs), joined by three executives representing the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Patriotic Alliance (PA), and Rise Mzansi.
National chairperson of Rise Mzansi, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa was appointed by Lesufi as MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development; the IFPs Bonginkosi Ndlovu was appointed as MEC for e-Government; and Patriotic Alliances Sheila Mary Peters was appointed MEC for Environment.
On Thursday morning, DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said the positions created for the IFP, Patriotic Alliance and Rise Mzansi were actually diluted and ineffective in service delivery.
