There's nothing untoward about cancelling Cabinet meeting, says Ramaphosa
This comes as the African National Congress (ANC) looks to reset its relationship with the Government of National Unity (GNU) partners who, last week, snubbed the budget framework in Parliament.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the keynote address during the 17th Biennial Conference of the International Association of Women Judges on 9 April 2025. Picture: Lindsay Dentlinger/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed suggestions there’s anything untoward about this week’s Cabinet meeting being called off.
This comes as the African National Congress (ANC) looks to reset its relationship with the Government of National Unity (GNU) partners who, last week, snubbed the budget framework in Parliament.
On Wednesday, he told judges meeting in Cape Town he had done so that he could attend the opening of the biennial conference of the International Association of Women Judges.
However, EWN understands the Cabinet meeting was only scheduled for Thursday.
Meanwhile, the ANC’s GNU negotiating team it announced on Tuesday, has already started its work with its first meeting held with ActionSA.
The Cabinet has not met since the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus voted against the fiscal framework a week ago.
On Wednesday, Ramaphosa made light of suggestions that the cancellation was because he didn’t want to deal face to face with the tensions.
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In opening remarks to the conference of women judges, he joked that he and Chief Justice Mandisa Maya could face legal action for cancelling this week’s meeting.
“I will be respondent number one, and you will be respondent number two because I cancelled a Cabinet meeting to come here.”
Meanwhile, the ANC has described Wednesday’s talks with ActionSA to resolve the budget impasse as frank and cordial.
The party says the discussion was limited only to budget-related matters.
ActionSA also emphasised that no discussion was had about reconstituting the GNU.
The party’s national chairperson, Michael Beaumont, says the only focus was alternative revenue proposals to stave off a VAT increase next month.
Last week, ActionSA supported the budget framework on the provision that the VAT increase will be retracted, opening the door to it being invited to join the GNU.
EWN understands that Build One South Africa (BOSA), which also supported the budget last week, is next to meet the ANC negotiators in Inanda, Johannesburg, on Wednesday.
BOSA is also not part of the GNU.