Patriotic Alliance, Rise Mzansi and Inkatha Freedom Party have secured positions in Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s cabinet announced on Wednesday night in Sandton, Johannesburg following a fallout between the ANC and the Democratic Alliance.
The IFP’s Bonginkosi Dlamini has been appointed as the MEC for E-Government while the ANC’s provincial head of elections has been promoted to the Finance MEC post, while Matome Chiloane, Nomantu Nkomo Ralehoko and Kedibone Tlabela-Diale retained their positions as MECs for education, health and transport respectively with Jacob Mamabolo moved to the local government portfolio.
Other opposition members included in the province’s 7th administration are Sheila Marry Peters of Patriotic Alliance and Rise Mzansi’s provincial leader Vuyiswa Ramokgopa take over the departments of environment and agriculture respectively.
“The team is expected to start work immediately in order to deliver much needed services to our people,” said Lesufi also emphasising that he fully respects the will of the people ( outcome of election results).
The announcement follows protracted negotiations with the DA which resulted in reconcilable differences which led to a deadlock and ultimately the exclusion of the blue party.
The DA which already occupies the position of Deputy Speaker of the legislature insisted on getting four cabinet positions and pressured Lesufi to disclose which of the opposition parties he intended allocating positions to, a demand that the ANC refused to accede to.
Lesufi said there was a total of eleven political parties involved in the Government of Provincial Unity and said some of them opted to support from the legislature instead of occupying positions in the executive.
The Premier said the ANC remained open to cooperation with more parties if they are interested in joining the Government of Provincial Unity.
“I must emphasise that the finalisation of the executive does not mean that the door is closed on anyone. Any parties that wish to work with us this door remains open and will be permanently opened,” said Lesufi.
The ANC’s provincial deputy secretary Tasneem Motara is the new human settlements MEC.
The announcement marks the formalisation of the formation of government following an electoral stalemate. Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal were the first to reach deals following the signing of the statement of intent towards the establishment of a Government of National Unity led by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Lesufi apologised to citizens of Gauteng for having postponed the announcement twice.