‘No deadline’ for Ramaphosa to appoint new cabinet
A political expert says there are no constitutional deadlines for announcing the president's cabinet.
While South Africans wait for news on the new members of the executive, the SACP urged President Cyril Ramaphoa to name them as soon as possible.
Ramaphosa has been locked in cabinet consultations with nine political parties that entered into an agreement with the ANC to form a government of national unity.
Discussions began a week ago.
READ: ANC: Ramaphosa to name cabinet 'soon'
Some experts have put the slow process down to various parties jostling for posts.
Analyst and professor at North-West University, Piet Croucamp, says people should understand that negotiations can take some time.
"It is not ideal, but there is also no specific legislation that determines when the cabinet has to be appointed. The president can actually take his time to negotiate the government of national unity. In some countries, it takes up to six months. We would hope in South Africa, that is not something we will be doing, but it can be a timeous exercise."
Croucamp says in the absence of ministers government departments continue to run under the leadership of the director generals.
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"If it takes too long, it could have consequences. There are certain prerogatives, jurisdictions and responsibilities only ministers can perform. Most of the DGs and responsible people now report in the time being to the president."
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