Mashatile to chair GNU 'clearing house mechanism' meeting

CAPE TOWN - Deputy President Paul Mashatile will chair a meeting of Government of National Unity (GNU) partners on Wednesday tonight to come up with a mechanism to deal with disputes.  

One hundred days since the partnership of ten political parties was formed, they are yet to come up with a dispute resolution mechanism. 

The Presidency says it's confident the coalition will stay together for the full five years and disagreements are to be expected.  

Ministers in the GNU have this week been providing updates on their first three months in office.

READ: GNU's 'clearing house mechanism' won't usurp Cabinet's authority - Ntshavheni

But their political parties are yet to decide how they are to treat matters when they clash on policy.  

On Wednesday, representatives from the parties will meet virtually for the first time to map out a plan for what is to be known as the 'GNU clearing house mechanism'.  

"That will be the first attempt to have a mechanism that will deal with issues of conflict within the GN. Secondly, the meeting will clarify and finalise the terms of reference of that committee," said Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya. 

READ: GNU should be judged on its achievements, not on the parties in it - ANC's Ramaphosa

Besides the clearing house, a technical committee is also to be established to deal with matters of divergence within the GNU.  

"I am certain that with the first meeting of the clearing house, parties will find each other and that our collective commitment to serve the people of South Africa, will lead to greater accountability and will foster trust between the electorate and the political parties that form part of the GNU," said Mashatile.