DA ‘will walk’ if Cabinet reshuffled

BUDGET TENSIONS: PARTY THREATENS TO LEAVE GNU

- Itumeleng Mafisa

The DA has threatened to leave the government of national unity (GNU) should President Cyril Ramaphosa reshuffle his Cabinet and remove some portfolios from the blue party.

This comes after calls from some ANC alliance partners, such as union federation Cosatu, for Ramaphosa to punish the DA for not supporting a budget proposed by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.

Cosatu wants Ramaphosa to reshuffle the Cabinet and remove some DA ministers.

DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp said yesterday any changes to the Cabinet must be discussed with all GNU partners before they are implemented.

“If they take away any of our portfolios, or make changes that influence ministerial positions, or deputy ministers, then we will leave the GNU,” Aucamp said.

He said the DA is not pleased that the ANC went to parties outside the ruling coalition to seek support for a value-added tax increase the DA opposed.