MKP rejects invitation to join the GNU

SOME opposition parties prefer to remain on the opposition benches as they flatly rejected the ANC’s suggestion to invite them into the Government of National Unity (GNU).

- BONGANI HANS

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) was unwilling to be part of the Cabinet that involved the DA and President Cyril Ramaphosa. However, the MKP said it was willing to hold discussions with the EFF and the ANC, without Ramaphosa’s involvement, for the formation of the pro-black government.

MKP national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said this in reaction to the ANC’s suggestion of adding more parties to the GNU.

The ANC, whose spokesperson Mahl-engi Bhengu-Motsiri is yet to respond to a request for comment, announced in a statement released on August 6, that the party’s National Executive Committee's ordinary meeting held between August 1 and 4 resolved to engage with its current GNU partners to broaden participation, “strengthen the functioning of the GNU, and give full effect to the Statement of Intent”.

However, the ANC cautioned that it would not allow opportunistic forces, which it did not name, to manipulate the GNU platform for narrow partisan ends.