DA not desperate to be in Gauteng govt, willing to be the opposition - Zille

JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it was more than willing to return to the opposition benches in the Gauteng legislature amid a tussle for positions in Premier Panyaza Lesufi's Cabinet.
 
Negotiations between the two parties on the division of powers in Lesufi’s executive once again collapsed on Tuesday.
 
During a media briefing in Johannesburg on Tuesday evening, DA federal council chairperson, Helen Zille, revealed that the ANC wanted to keep seven MEC positions while offering three to the DA.
 
The ANC received the highest number of votes in Gauteng, finishing the race with 34%, while the DA came out second, with 27% of the vote.
 
The DA believes Lesufi's Cabinet should therefore be reflective of the outcomes of the recent general elections.
 
Zille said that the DA was not desperate to be in government, especially given their discontent with the ANC's offering.
 
"So we are saying, we are at the table. If you [ANC] are not prepared to live by this document [statement of intent], we will go into opposition. We don't mind being in the opposition, it is our comfort zone. It is not a threat, it's just a fact and facts aren't threats."
 
The ANC, on the other hand, said on Monday it had not closed the door to engaging other parties to form Lesufi's executive.