Lesufi to announce provincial cabinet amid squabbles with DA
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi is expected to announce members of his executive council on Wednesday evening despite the party failing to reach an agreement with the DA.
The DA wants four positions in the cabinet and while the ANC is only offering three posts, and one post each for smaller parties.
During a media briefing at Luthuli House on Wednesday, Lesufi said they have been having coalition talks with the other parties in attempts to form a government.
"We are ready to announce a government of Gauteng this evening. And that government of Gauteng will be an inclusive government that will include everyone that is willing to work with us and it will include everyone that is willing to take this province forward.”
Gauteng is the only province that does not have an executive following the elections.
Meanwhile, DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said the party have not walked out of the negotiations.
"After robust engagements, and negotiations stretching over weeks, we have declined to take up seats on the ANC terms, and will not form part of the Executive of the Gauteng Government of Provincial Unity.
"After a prolonged engagement we found ourselves unable to accept a counter to our offer. The offer made to the DA was and continues to be one we find both unfair and unreasonable.
"It is, impossible for the DA to be co-opted into government, as we are meant to be power sharing partners, we will not be functionaries who rubber stamp decisions made by an executive, that evidently, is intent on keeping us on the edge of the fray.
"We are both comfortable and proud to enter back into the opposition benches from where we will serve the people of Gauteng,"
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