GNU not a 'church service', differences are inevitable, says Holomisa
Holomisa has told EWN that the first few months in government have been mainly about consulting with entities together with Minister Angie Motshekga.
FILE: Leader of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) Bantu Holomisa speaks during a debate to the possibility of initiating proceedings to remove South African President Cyril Ramaphosa from office, at a parliamentary session in Cape Town on December 13, 2022. Picture: Gianluigi Guercia / AFP
CAPE TOWN - United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa says the Government of National Unity (GNU) is not a "church service” and differences are to be expected.
Speaking just over 100 days into the administration, the Deputy Defence and Military Veterans Minister said there’s also no crisis because of the differences between parties like the African National Congress (ANC) and Democratic Alliance (DA) on key legislation.
On Wednesday, Holomisa told EWN that the first few months in government have been mainly about consulting with entities and Minister Angie Motshekga.
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The Deputy Defence Minister, Bantu Holomisa, has reflected on the first 100 days in the GNU executive and the current status of the country’s defence force.
On policy differences between the parties in the GNU, Holomisa said there’s nothing too serious because it’s all politics.
"I’m not interested in that because I know these are politics. We are not in a church service here. So we must expect that vigorous engagement, and it helps that we are not here being swallowed."
Holomisa encouraged his own UDM party members of Parliament not to ask him “sweetheart questions” now that he’s in government.
He added he was further encouraged that the president wants an end to the defunding of the defence, and to increase its funding to 1.5% of GDP.