Ramaphosa not concerned by Steenhuisen's absence from meeting

THE Presidency has downplayed DA leader John Steenhuisen's absence from the inaugural meeting of Eminent Persons for the National Dialogue on Friday saying there was "nothing much to read from it".

- NICOLA DANIELS

Steenhuisen, a member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) appointed by Ramaphosa to prepare for the National Dialogue, had threatened to boycott the initiative over the president's decision to fire DA member Andrew Whitfield as Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Minister.

Ramaphosa held his inaugural meeting with members of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group at the Union Buildings on Friday.

Asked about Steenhuisen's absence, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Steenhuisen was not the only member of the IMC who was absent from the meeting.

"Other Ministers even left the meeting earlier.