Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi wants DA legislature deputy speaker Refilwe Nt'sekhe to keep her top position despite the blue party wanting her to exit office after clashes between the two parties during power-sharing negotiations.
The ANC and DA in Gauteng failed to mirror a political leadership similar to President Cyril Ramaphosa's government of national unity (GNU) cabinet, and as a result DA provincial leader Solly Msimanga said Nt'sekhe would have to resign from her position on Thursday when they take the opposition benches.
Despite clashes, Lesufi said he did not want Nt'sekhe to leave public offices after two weeks in the job.
We are going to persuade the DA to remain, I honestly believe we can still find common ground. The withdrawal of the deputy speaker is unfortunate and regrettable, but it is something that can be reversed.
There was no need for them to abruptly withdraw the deputy speaker while we were going to discuss this matter. It's unfortunate and regrettable, but we'll persuade them. The door is open. We can't close that door, Lesufi said in an interview with eNCA on Thursday.
