GNU's dispute resolution mechanism sufficient to settle differences between parties - Mohai

CAPE TOWN - Deputy minister in the department of planning, monitoring and evaluation, Seiso Mohai, has dismissed suggestions that disagreements over legislation within the Government of National Unity (GNU) was impacting the work of that department.

Mohai said that sufficient platforms existed for diverging views among GNU parties to be discussed.

Responding to a question from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon, he said the medium-term development plan, which will guide government’s work over the next five years, was a product of sufficient consensus.

The plan was tabled before Parliament's portfolio committee earlier on Wednesday.

Disagreements over education, national health insurance and expropriation laws have given rise to tensions within the GNU over the past eight months. 

But Mohai said that its dispute resolution mechanism was sufficient to iron out differences between parties.

"We believe there’s a common understanding that we’ve cultivated that both need to work for the interest of our country."

He was confident that even the current disagreements over the budget could be overcome. 

"The budget issues, are not going to take a long time, but reflect the contradictions that existed at a given time, and we are confident they will be resolved."

Mohai said that all GNU parties gave input into the medium-term development plan and all departments would be expected to follow through on its goals.