ANC defends bloated GNU Cabinet

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) says the increase in the size of the Cabinet was done in the interest of political cooperation that will eventually benefit the country.

On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced 75 ministers and deputy ministers, making it one of the country's largest national executives in democratic history.  

Ramaphosa said there was a need to ensure the majority of parties signed to the ANC's Government of National Unity (GNU) were represented in the executive.  

ANC interim spokesperson Zuko Godlimpi says the election results show that voters want different parties to govern together.  

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"That increase [of Cabinet] is marginal in the context of the need to provide a balanced and reflective national executive that caters to the outcomes of the elections. So, the ANC acknowledges the President had to take this difficult position, in the interest of forging political progress and co-operation that is in the interest of the people," said Godlimpi.

However, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said this would be another burden for taxpayers to carry.

"It is even more concerning that this Cabinet has been increased and bloated, signalling more pressure on taxpayers to allow for the accommodation of racists and their policies in high positions of power," said EFF spokesperson, Leigh-Ann Mathys.