Maimane expresses concern over GNU's inability to reach legislative agreements

JOHANNESBURG - Ideological and policy conflicts between parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) continue to emerge with some opposition parties calling on the President to address these issues.

In his pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) speech on Tuesday, Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane expressed concern over the GNU's inability to reach agreements on certain pieces of legislation.

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With the president set to deliver his SONA speech on Thursday, Maimane says policy disputes within the GNU have affected the GNU’s image.

Build One South Africa is among the parties that rejected the African National Congress’s (ANC) offer to join the GNU following last year’s general elections.

The National Health Insurance, the BELA Act, and the Expropriation Act are pieces of legislation recently enacted by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

While these policies have the support of the ANC, parties like the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Patriotic Alliance, which are also part of the unity government, have strongly rejected them.

Although these parties are all in government, they have been embroiled in disputes over the President's decision to sign these laws into effect.

Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane has raised concerns about the ongoing inability of parties in the Government of National Unity to reach a consensus on key policies.

"Rather than fostering stability, this alliance of political rivals has resulted in policy stagnation, with ANC-led governance prevailing despite the supposed inclusion of opposition voices."

He says these disputes have left some South Africans losing faith in the GNU.