Withdrawal from National Dialogue likely to see Steenhuisen in hot water
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said that while the party can boycott the event, ministers who don’t participate in the dialogue would be acting insubordinately.
FILE: Leader of the Democratic Alliance John Steenhuisen speaks during a debate at a parliamentary session in Cape Town. Picture: Gianluigi Guercia / AFP
JOHANNESBURG – The Democratic Alliance (DA)’s decision to withdraw from the National Dialogue could see its leader, John Steenhuisen, landing himself in hot water
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said that while the party can boycott the event, ministers who don’t participate in the dialogue would be acting insubordinately.
Several ministers have been appointed to head up an inter-ministerial committee on the National Dialogue, and Steenhuisen is one of them.
While the DA, in reaction to one of its deputy ministers being axed, has changed its tune on the National Dialogue.
The Presidency said it will not be that easy for those serving in government to just opt out.
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Ramaphosa’s Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said the DA walking out of a National Dialogue is immaterial.
This poses a challenge for the DA’s Steenhuisen, who led the charge to abandon the dialogue, as he is one of the ministers serving in the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC).
Magwenya said those appointed to the IMC are expected to fully participate in the event
The National Dialogue forms part of the 7th administration’s programme, with the National Treasury already looking for money to fund the project.