The Democratic Alliance (DA) has reminded the African National Congress (ANC) that although it is within the powers of the president to hire and fire his Cabinet, he should remember that the ANC does not have a majority in Parliament. This comes amid talks surrounding the ongoing consultation process on the Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela) Bill.

NOT THE MAJORITY

This statement by DA comes after reports of an ANC faction demanding that President Cyril Ramaphosa fires Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube. DA national spokesperson Willie Aucamp has emphasised that should Ramaphosa dismiss Gwarube or any other DA ministers, the Government of National Unity (GNU) would collapse. "We understand that it is the President's prerogative to hire and fire his Cabinet, but the President must realise that he is not the leader of a party with a full majority anymore. It is not like in the previous Parliament. The President is there because they had to go into a coalition, or this Government of National Unity with the Democratic Alliance, and there was a memorandum of understanding that was signed," said Aucamp. He added that the party rejects any attempt to fire Minister Gwarube or any DA minister for doing their jobs.

GETTING OUT OF HAND

Gwarube said that despite the pressure mounting on Ramaphosa to get rid of her, it would be very difficult to do so because he is not governing on his own. "He can hire and fire; that remains his prerogative. It's just very difficult when you are not governing on your own to say, 'We don't want this person; bring us someone else. The insinuation that somehow I was seeking a backroom deal with Solidarity is frankly nonsensical. It's mischievous.' In September, Ramaphosa signed the bill into law but delayed the implementation of clauses 4 and 5 by three months to give parties in the GNU to further engage on those sections of the bill. Clause 4 of the Bill states that a school's governing body (SGB) has the authority to determine the admissions policy, but it must comply with the national and provincial education laws and the Constitution. The SGB needs to submit the policy to the Head of Department for approval. Clause 5 of the Bill says the SGB must submit the language policy of a public school and any amendment thereof to the Head of Department for approval. Consultations are expected to conclude on the pending clauses this Friday, and pressure has been mounting on Ramaphosa from the teachers union Sadtu to fire Gwarube as her party doesn't support the bill.