DA in Gauteng proudly takes up our position as the official opposition

3 July 2024

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng notes that the announcement of the Gauteng Executive, by Premier Panyaza Lesufi, will take place today the 3rd of July 2024.

After robust engagements, and negotiations stretching over weeks, we have declined to take up seats on the African National Congress’ (ANC) terms, and will not form part of the Executive of the Gauteng Government of Provincial Unity (GPU).

After a prolonged engagement involving various senior members of parties on both ends, yesterday (2nd of July 2024), 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.

In the spirit of unity, and in an effort to build a relationship with a foundation of trust, we entered into these critical negotiations.

It is, however, 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. Beyond the problematic nature of an attitude that seemingly does not understand what their significant loss of the vote share in Gauteng entails, an air of refusal to be partners, which ultimately is the goal, dominated conversations.

Negotiations are meant to be principle based, as per the Statement of Intent that both the ANC and the DA signed on a national level. The ANC’s Gauteng leadership, and negotiations team, does not view this critically important document in the same light.

If both parties were negotiating in good faith, the situation might have been different now. That was not the case, and the DA cannot be a part of a government that does not value fairness, proportionality, and principles in the same way we do.

The Democratic Alliance has a long history of being a strong and unforgivingly thorough opposition. We are both comfortable and proud to enter back into the opposition benches from where we will serve the people of Gauteng.

I will, in the next couple of days, announce the new Shadow-cabinet which will relentlessly keep the newly formed executive and all departments accountable.

Our principles, and the principles set out in the Statement of Intent are non-negotiable, and we will not allow either to be trampled on.

Statement issued by Solly Msimanga MPL – Leader of the Democratic Alliance in Gauteng, 3 July 2024