DA, Freedom Front Plus yet to join talks to resolve budget impasse

JOHANNESBURG - African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said that the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus have not yet joined the latest round of negotiations aimed at resolving the budget impasse.

Earlier this week, the ANC initiated another round of talks in an effort to reach common ground on the national budget and a value-added tax increase.

However, the party said that both the DA and Freedom Front Plus had yet to express interest in participating in this new round of discussions.

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Mbalula provided an update on the negotiations during a media briefing held in Sandton on Thursday.

After the ANC lost power in KwaZulu-Natal last year, a government of provincial unity was formed to govern the municipality.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), as the largest party in the executive, governs alongside the ANC, DA, and National Freedom Party (NFP) in the province.

But due to the fallout between the ANC and the DA at national level over the VAT increase, the provincial government could be destabilised if the DA leaves GNU.

When asked about the future of the KZN government, this is what Mbalula had to say.

"KZN has not arisen in terms of our discussions because we have not yet met with the DA and as such, I cannot give answers to a number of questions you may ask that are related to the ANC and the DA."

Discussions between GNU partners are expected to be concluded next week.