Mashatile rejects dissolution of the GNU, emphasising collaborative governance

Deputy President Paul Mashatile affirmed that the Government of National Unity (GNU) is functioning exceptionally well, dismissing suggestions to dissolve the coalition as “foolhardy”. 

Speaking at a breakfast session with Parliamentary Gallery Association on Thursday, Mashatile praised the collaborative efforts among ministers from the various parties represented in the GNU Cabinet.

“I think it will be foolhardy for anyone to try and dissolve it. I know some people were saying chase away the DA. There is no need to,” Mashatile said when he was responding to questions.

He subsequently brought up the dispute earlier this year regarding the VAT increase, specifically mentioning the DA's decision to take the government to court over the matter.

“What we said at the time it was the DA chasing itself away from us,” said the deputy president.

“If anything, South Africa is at a period where greater unity is needed among parties so that we can unite the nation. This is not the time to push for divisions. I think, the more we unite, the better.”

“We will continue to work with everybody, including the DA,” said Mashatile.

He also stated that ministers from parties represented in the GNU Cabinet worked very well together.

Mashatile said that since there was a new administration, the new ministers were hitting the ground running.

“My assessment is that ministers are doing quite well in their responsibilities.  What the president has emphasised in our last Cabinet is that we should inject some speed in the implementation of decisions.

“We have really emphasised the fact that we need more speed of execution in what we do, but generally, on policy activities, we are all agreed.”

Mashatile also said the approach taken in the GNU was that ministers are treated as ministers, not as ministers of the DA or the ANC.

“We have taken a position that ministers are appointed by the president and they are accountable to the president irrespective of the party they come from,” he said.

Amid reports that some ANC national executive committee members are plotting for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s removal at the upcoming ANC National General Council, Mashatile was asked whether leaders in the GNU have confidence in him.

Mashatile responded in the affirmative saying: “Yes, they do.”

He noted that Ramaphosa and leaders of parties recently held a two-day retreat of GNU leaders.

“I was also invited by the president to attend, and it was a very good meeting. Progressive decisions taken there were taken unanimously.”

He made reference to the decision over the adoption of the terms of reference for the GNU’s Clearing House Mechanism.

“There was no issue at all. Now the Clearing House has said this new presidential mechanism has been finalised,  and the leaders are clear on how they are going to continue to work.”

Mashatile described the GNU Clearing House mechanism as being anchored on ensuring transparency and preventing unilateral decisions.

He said the GNU represented a historic moment for the country’s democracy.

“To manage differences constructively, President Cyril Ramaphosa has established the GNU Clearing House, a mechanism designed to resolve policy disagreements.”

He said significant progress in the work of the GNU Clearing House included the recent adoption of the terms of references, which served as the guiding framework.

“The terms of reference provides for a structured flowchart of a dispute resolution process.”

He explained that the Clearing House was a recommending body, not a decision-making structure.

“When consensus cannot be reached, we record an ‘agree to disagree’ outcome and refer the matter to the Political Leaders’ Forum for further consideration,” added Mashatile.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za