ANC Chief Whip says his caucus will be closely monitoring the implementation of NHI

JOHANNESBURG - African National Congress (ANC) chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli says his caucus will be closely monitoring the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) despite policy differences with its GNU partners.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi gave the caucus lekgotla an hour-long briefing on the NHI to ensure a full understanding of the controversial act.

Ntuli says the caucus is still learning to navigate its way through policy differences with its GNU partners, now that it no longer enjoys a parliamentary majority after three decades.

Parliament’s ANC caucus is getting its marching orders on Sunday on how it should conduct oversight over the work of government.

This includes the implementation of contentious legislation like the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act and the National Health nsurance - over which it doesn’t completely see eye to eye with its GNU partners.

Ntuli says he’s taken note of the contradictory messages that emerged from its ministers last week - as to whether concessions had been made to appease the Democratic Alliance.

"The advantage of being in this caucus today is all these comrades are here, and whether they were misquoted, whether there was a misunderstanding, we will get to understand that here."

But Ntuli says there’s no going back, and the caucus must look to the future.

"There may be instances where some GNU partners are not happy or are raising certain issues of concern about the act, but our view is that those discussions must evolve within the context of implementation."

Ntuli says the finance minister will be questioned about the available funds to introduce the universal health insurance.