GNU's 'clearing house mechanism' won't usurp Cabinet's authority - Ntshavheni

CAPE TOWN - Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said that the "clearing house mechanism" of the Government of National Unity (GNU) would not "usurp" Cabinet authority.

She said that Cabinet remained the final decision-making body in government and not any outside political arrangement.

Ntshavheni told a post-Cabinet briefing on Friday that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s powers also could not be "watered down" by other structures within the GNU.

Minister Ntshavheni said that Cabinet welcomed the decision by Ramaphosa to set up a "clearing house mechanism" to deal with matters that parties within the GNU may differ on.

Ntshavheni said that was where it ended because the president’s powers were enshrined in the Constitution.

"They cannot be watered down by any political arrangement because if the powers of the president are watered down, therefore the president is failing."

She said that the clearing house mechanism also had no bearing on government business, which still needed to be decided on by Cabinet.

"It doesn’t replace Cabinet decisions, it doesn’t usurp Cabinet powers because Cabinet powers are legislated."

Ntshavheni said that political differences would be dealt with at the political leaders' forums of members of the parties who signed the statement of intent.