For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae.

Making headlines: SACP wants swift cabinet appointments, condemns DA’s demands; MK party lawmakers sworn in after boycotting first sitting; And, ANC to work with traditional leaders in preparation for national dialogue

SACP wants swift cabinet appointments, condemns DA’s demands

The South African Communist Party, which has expressed strong opposition to a coalition with the Democratic Alliance, today said it is “vindicated” by what it refers to as the DA’s “trickery, hypocritical and untenable” demands as parties in the Government of National Unity meet to discuss Cabinet positions.

In a detailed letter to African National Congress secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, DA federal chairperson Helen Zille said it was “fair and reasonable” for the DA to be represented across all Cabinet clusters, including the ministries of Mineral Resources and Energy, Transport, and trade and Industry.

The SACP highlighted that while the ANC did not receive an outright majority to form a government, it is important for everyone to recognise that it still has been voted the largest electoral party according to voter support.

The SACP is accusing the DA of positioning itself against the GNU, claiming that this is obvious from its so-called “manoeuvres to secure a hostile takeover” through a grand coalition with the ANC, also involving the Inkatha Freedom Party, in which, the SACP says, the DA will wield (wild) veto power under the guise of “sufficient consensus.”

MK party lawmakers sworn in after boycotting first sitting

Members of South Africa's uMkhonto we Sizwe party were sworn in as lawmakers in parliament today after boycotting the first sitting of the National Assembly nearly two weeks ago.

MK lawmakers had stayed away on June 14 after filing a complaint at the country's top court alleging vote-rigging in the May 29 election, which the court dismissed as without merit.

MK, the party of former South African president Jacob Zuma, came a surprisingly strong third in the election in which the African National Congress lost its parliamentary majority. MK has declined to join a government of national unity.

All of its 58 lawmakers, including Zuma's daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, took the oath, allowing parliament's lower house to start its business.

Among them were former finance minister Des van Rooyen, appointed out of the blue by Zuma in 2015 and then dismissed after four days in favour of Pravin Gordhan when the rand currency collapsed.

Another prominent MK member also sworn in –  former Western Cape judge president John Hlophe, impeached by the previous parliament for misconduct, including for using his position to try to influence judges in a Zuma corruption case.

And, ANC to work with traditional leaders in preparation for national dialogue

The African National Congress said in the spirit of sustaining constant communication, it would hold continuous engagements with the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa on issues that affect them.

The party said in preparation for the upcoming national dialogue, it will work with Contralesa in all provinces on inputs regarding the role of traditional leaders in the Government of National Unity.

Last week the ANC said members of the GNU would soon host a national dialogue with the aim of getting consensus amongst South Africans as to some of the priority areas for the seventh administration.

The national dialogue process will seek to develop a national social compact that enables the country to meet the aspirations of the National Development Plan.

The Statement of Intent signed by ten political parties commits the GNU parties "to an all-inclusive national dialogue process with parties, civil society, labour, business and other sectors”.

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC noted that Contralesa had already put together a Working Group on the role of traditional leaders in the GNU.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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