The Pan African Congress (PAC) has dismissed the National Dialogue on Coalition governments as a bid “to save the ANC” in the 2024 elections.
The National dialogue which was held from the 4-5 August in the Western Cape saw various parties, civil society and government gather under the theme “working together to build strong and resilient democratic institutions to serve the people.”
PAC leader Mzwanele Nyhontso says that the party refuses to be part of a dialogue which he describes as a “strategy to save a dying ANC”.
“Bathi it is a coalition’s dialogue, what nonsense is that. That was not a coalitions dialogue, that is a strategy to try and save a dying ANC, we cannot form part of that nonsense,” says Nyhontso.
The dialogue saw various proposals, including a minimum threshold on coalition governments which is said to have left smaller parties fuming.
ATM leader, Vuyo Zungula staged a walkout and rejected the dialogue. In agreement with this move, Nyhontso further questioned why coalitions must be discussed now.
“All these years 29 years, the ANC has always been happy to govern alone why now, when they can see they will get less than 50 [percent], bathi no, we must discuss coalitions, that’s nonsense, they must go,” Nyhontso added.
Nyhontso addressed delegates at the PAC’s Gauteng conference which takes place ahead of the 2024 elections where the party hopes to make its mark.
The PAC leader reminded delegates that the time to play was “long gone” adding that those who do not toe the line will be recalled.
“If you are not toeing the line of the PAC and the discipline of the PAC, we are going to recall you councillors. Ill-discipline starts with councillors; they do not respect the party. The party that has deployed them, they don’t respect the structures that have deployed them in councils,” Nyhontso explains.
The party is expected to hold its Annual Policy Conference later this month.
Video: National Dialogue on Coalition Governments
