The African National Congress (ANC) National Working Committee (NWC) will meet on Monday, to discuss the future of the Government of National Unity (GNU).These as tensions within the GNU are high, after fellow GNU partners Democratic Alliance and Freedom Front Plus, voted against the adoption of the fiscal framework for the national budget last week.
Addressing the media after attending a meeting at his branch in Chiawelo, Soweto, Ramaphosa said the matter is now in the hands of the NEC. “The National Executive Committee is the one that is going to discuss precisely what the ANC now needs to do.As we deal with these challenges where a number of parties, particularly also parties that are part of the GNU at the national level, have voted against the budget.That is the path we’re on, the National Executive Committee will discuss the matter after the National Working Committee (NWC) would have discussed the matter,” said Ramaphosa. Monday’s NWC meeting comes after the ANC postponed the NEC meeting, which was also expected to discuss the future of GNU.
Some senior party members have questioned the role of the DA in the GNU, with others arguing that its deployees cannot be expected to implement a budget for which they didn’t vote. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa acknowledged some of the concerns raised in a letter sent to him and DA leader, John Steenhuisen, by business leaders, urging them to find an amicable solution for the sake of the GNU. He however cautioned that business cannot influence the ANC. “Business does not dictate what happens, in government, doesn’t dictate what happens in the ANC, that I lead. We take our own decisions, based on our considerations of everything that’ll advance the interests of our people. But like any other citizen, they’re entitled to express their views, wishes and fears. But in the end, the ANC will not be influenced by what businesses says, we’re principally influenced by what our people say. So, we’re not under pressure from businesses, or from whoever,” remarked Ramaphosa.
