Hijacked: National Dialogue faces

The DA claims it was proven right to boycott the dialogue after Deputy President Paul Mashatile instructed ministers to attend the convention virtually

- Mandisa Nyathi

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is claiming vindication for its decision to boycott the National Dialogue, after Deputy President Paul Mashatile issued a directive for ministers and their deputies to attend the Friday's convention virtually.

But, in a letter dated 13 August, Mashatile said members of the executive should attend the convention virtually to ensure space for citizens to attend.

DA spokesperson Karabo Khakhau said Mashatile’s decision not to have ministers and political leaders physically attend aligned with her party's assertion that the convention, which kicks off the National Dialogue, was a costly “talk shop” unlikely to deliver concrete solutions to South Africa’s economic and governance problems.