The structure in the office of Deputy President Paul Mashatile, established to resolve policy disputes in the government of national unity (GNU), has deferred a decision on the contentious Bela Act and other legislation to its next meeting.
The GNU’s clearing house mechanism held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, three months after the formation of the GNU. Its next meeting is scheduled for October 30, when it is expected to receive reports on the way forward regarding the Bela Act, South Africa's preparedness for hosting the G20 summit in 2025 and preparations for the national dialogue, which is likely to be held in 2025.
The structure will also finalise its terms of reference at its next meeting. The draft terms of reference were discussed at Wednesday’s meeting but not adopted.
Members of the GNU have already clashed over National Health Insurance, which President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law in May, with health minister Aaron Motsoaledi doubling down on the scheme in July, saying he was determined to push ahead with it despite legal challenges and opposition by political parties in the GNU.
Regarding the Bela Act, the DA previously said it had instructed its lawyers to keep preparing for court action on the process leading up to the signing of the bill and its substance on constitutional grounds.
Ramaphosa signed the bill into law in September but delayed the implementation of controversial clauses for three months to allow further engagement.
The next meeting will also “deal with challenges at provincial and local government level. It was appreciated contradictions are inevitable in coalition governments and learning from countries that have such coalitions is the best mechanism for achieving the goals set out in the Statement of Intent,” Mashatile’s spokesperson Keith Khoza said.
“[Another issue was] achieving the three strategic priorities of the GNU, namely, to drive inclusive growth and job creation, reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living and build a capable, ethical and developmental state.”
The GNU was formed after the May 29 election in which the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in three decades. It comprises the ANC, DA, PA, IFP, GOOD, PAC, FF Plus, UDM, Al Jama-ah and Rise Mzansi.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the ANC was represented by monitoring and evaluation minister Maropene Ramokgopa and ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli. Public works and infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson represented the DA, while the IFP was represented by deputy transport minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa.
The meeting was also attended by Brett Herron from GOOD, Apa Pooe from the PAC, Corne Mulder from the FF Plus, Kenny Kunene from the PA, Kabelo Gwamanda from Al Jama-ah and Makashule Gana from Rise Mzansi, while apologies were noted from deputy defence minister Bantu Holomisa from the UDM.
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