Steenhuisen warns Ramaphosa: Firing Gwarube would end GNU
Ramaphosa said the agreement signed by Gwarube and Solidarity has no bearing on the consultations on clauses 4 and 5 of the BELA Act.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen says firing Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube over implementing the Basic Education Amendment Laws (BELA) Act would signal the end of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
The sentiment comes as there is reportedly misinformation about the consultation process on Clauses 4 and 5 of the Act, which has occurred since President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the BELA Bill into law in September.
During the signing ceremony, Ramaphosa said the government would not implement clauses 4 and 5 for three months pending consultation with organisations and political parties that oppose the clauses, including lobby group AfriForum and the DA.
WHY WOULD RAMAPHOSA FIRE SIVIWE GWARUBE?
On 28 November, Gwarube announced that she had signed an agreement with Solidarity to exercise her powers and responsibilities in implementing the BELA Act.
In response, the Presidency said the agreement between Gwarube and Solidarity has no bearing – in law or practical effect – on the inclusive multiparty discussions underway in sections 4 and 5 of the Act.
“Furthermore, the agreement bears no influence on the President’s powers to ultimately decide the commencement of the Act,” Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.
DA FULLY SUPPORTS BASIC EDUCATION MINISTER
DA leader John Steenhuisen said that during the three months of consultation, Gwarube met with members from Solidarity and the Presidency at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) after the union lodged a dispute.
Steenhuisen said this process is entirely separate from the consultation process, and conflating the two is misleading and factually incorrect.
“This was a mandatory process, in terms of the law, to prevent strike action arising out of the dispute. This engagement resulted in a settlement signed by the Minister of Basic Education, the Presidency, and the union. The fact that the Presidency has now distanced itself from this legislated process, which they were party to, is as disgraceful as it is confusing.
“As leader of the DA, I would like to make this point loud and clear. We support the process followed by the minister, as she was fulfilling her legally obligated responsibilities, and respect the outcome of the negotiations at Nedlac,” Steenhuisen said.
DO YOU THINK THE DA WOULD QUIT THE GNU?
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