KZN GPU strong despite GNU tensions - Rodgers
The Democratic Alliance’s leader in KwaZulu-Natal says the
Government of Provincial Unity is strong and believes it has a future, despite
disputes in the national set-up.
Francois Rodgers, who is the Finance MEC, says the KZN government is working.
The GPU was formed under an arrangement between the IFP, ANC, DA and NFP following the 2024 general election.
Rodgers’ comments come amid weeks of tensions between the Government of National Unity’s two largest partners, the ANC and DA, over the national budget.
The DA opposed the proposed VAT hike and refused to vote with the ANC to get the fiscal framework adopted by Parliament.
READ: GNU VAT disagreements won't affect KZN - Hlabisa
It was approved last week with the help of parties including ActionSA.
Rodgers says there needs to be more effort from GNU partners to make the arrangement work.
"At this stage, there is no talk of the DA pulling out of the GPU, but it really all depends on what happens at a national level. Which is why one of the reasons I'm calling this [is] to impress upon our colleagues.
"All of our colleagues at a national level from every political party now need to start engaging in earnest, put their egos aside, and start debating and talking about what influence any decision or outcome it could ultimately have."
Earlier this week, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said that the party was talking to various parties, both within and outside the GNU, as it tries to resolve the VAT impasse.
He accused the DA of trying to divide the government and suggested its leaders lacked the political maturity to function in a coalition arrangement.
DA Leader John Steenhuisen responded and said the ANC needed to show its commitment to power-sharing, saying it was a natural result of the last election.
He added that the DA had never lobbied support outside the GNU, unlike the ANC.
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