Political parties must thrash out coalition tensions in major metros - Ramaphosa

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa has refused to weigh in on coalition tensions in major metros. 

He said it was a matter for the political personalities involved to sort out. 

Answering questions in the National Assembly on Thursday, Ramaphosa said lessons should be drawn from the Government of National Unity (GNU) to refine partnerships in other spheres of government.

Ramaphosa said he agreed with the Freedom Front Plus' Corne Mulder that the principles of the GNU should be extended to other spheres of government. 

He further agreed that it should be put on the agenda of the newly-created GNU clearing house. 

"It behoves on various political parties having the will and determination to work together and take whatever sphere of government forward to address the challenges our country faces."

But Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip, George Michalakis, accused Ramaphosa of not reining in Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, whom he blamed for the collapse of the DA's governing coalition in the City of Tshwane.

"In the end, the issue of how parties work together really depends on their willingness and determination to embrace one another and find solutions and to listen to one another."

Ramaphosa said that ultimately, whether the GNU approach can and should be extended to other government spheres, was a matter for political parties to thrash out.