In a stunning turn of events, President Cyril Ramaphosa's revised offer for Cabinet positions has stirred outrage within the Democratic Alliance (DA). The party's leadership and negotiating team are incensed by Ramaphosa's backtrack on his initial offer, which the DA had already accepted. This latest development has cast doubt on the agreement between the DA and ANC, with the DA now taking a firm stance against any further compromise.
The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC) has emerged as a central point of contention. Ramaphosa's alteration of the offer replaced the position of Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition with Minister of Tourism. This change has not sat well with the DA, as the DTIC is considered a key portfolio in the economic cluster, unlike the Department of Tourism, which is seen as having less impact on economic policy and development.
The DA, adamant in its position, will emphasize to President Ramaphosa that their acceptance of the Tuesday offer represents their "full and final settlement." The party is unwilling to engage in further compromise. The original offer entailed six ministries, including the DTIC, and seven deputy ministries.
Amidst the negotiations, the DA has expressed its desire to control 12 ministerial positions, including departments currently held by high-ranking ANC officials Gwede Mantashe and Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi. Notably, the DA seeks control over the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. If granted these departments, the DA would demand a review of all contracts awarded from the election announcement date.
Helen Zille, the chairperson of the DA federal council, conveyed these demands in a letter of negotiation to Fikile Mbalula, the secretary-general of the ANC. The behind-the-scenes horse-trading intensifies as President Cyril Ramaphosa gears up to announce the new cabinet within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Ramaphosa's election as president two weeks ago was made possible with the support of DA MPs. In a show of support, the DA also backed the ANC's candidates for Speaker in Parliament and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces. Additionally, they sided with the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal when the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) proposed a reduced number of seats for the ANC in the provincial executive.
Throughout the negotiations, the DA upheld the letter and spirit of the signed statement of intent between Helen Zille and Fikile Mbalula. However, the party accuses the ANC of negotiating in bad faith, claiming that the ANC is not reciprocating the same level of commitment.
While the ANC plans to include the IFP, Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), and GOOD in the cabinet, this alone will not secure a majority in the National Assembly. The ANC will need the support of other parties to pass legislation, including the budget, making Ramaphosa vulnerable to motions of no confidence.
In response to the escalating tensions, the ANC stated that their offer to the DA represents a final "take it or leave it" proposition, indicating their urgency to announce the final composition of the Cabinet. However, leaked documents reveal that the DA, as the second-largest party in the GNU, insists on holding the deputy president position or, alternatively, securing a minister in the presidency designated as the leader of government business. The party also seeks a deputy minister of finance, excluding the finance ministry, where they aspire to hold a deputy minister position.
As President Ramaphosa's final Cabinet offers hang in the balance, Wednesday night's meetings with the GNU partners were deemed "make or break." The president's constitutional powers to appoint Cabinet members will come into play if the parties reject the positions offered.
