PA's McKenzie threatens to leave GNU if he doesn't get ministerial position
The PA said it wanted a meaningful portfolio from which it can make a difference in the country.
FILE: Patriotic Alliance leader and Sport, Arts and Culture minister, Gayton McKenzie. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has threatened to leave the African National Congress (ANC)'s government of national unity (GNU) if it does not get a ministerial post.
The PA has agreed to a deal with the ANC and the Democratic Alliance (DA).
This includes backing the respective parties' candidates in Friday’s sitting.
Voting for the president, Speaker and Deputy President is set to take place later on Friday.
Discussions over the composition of Cabinet have not begun in earnest, however, the PA said it wanted a meaningful portfolio from which it can make a difference in the country.
The party’s leader, Gayton McKenzie, said that this was not about money, as he has pledged to donate 100% of his salary to the Joshlin Smith Foundation for missing children.
"If I don't get a ministry, we are jumping out of the GNU because how will I justify why am I supporting the GNU if I get nothing for my people?"
McKenzie said that all parties in the GNU had made concessions for the purposes of forming a stable government.