The Office of the Deputy President has expressed concern over reports of an agreement on the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act emerging through “unauthorized channels.”

In a statement issued to members of the Government of National Unity (GNU), the office clarified that the purported process, as referenced in a statement allegedly released by Solidarity, falls outside the official framework sanctioned by the Clearing House of the GNU parties that signed the Statement of Intent.

According to the Deputy President’s statement, the process involved only one party from the GNU, acting independently of the formal procedures agreed upon by the parties and signatories.

The statement further alleges that the Minister of Basic Education and a government official may have participated in this unsanctioned meeting.

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In the statement, Paul Mashatile’s office says the GNU and its representative parties remain committed to completing the sanctioned process for deliberating on the BELA Act, which is expected to conclude soon.

“We call on all parties that signed the Statement of Intent to uphold their commitments and cooperate with the official process,” said the Deputy President.

The Deputy President emphasized the central role of Parliament and the Presidency in enacting laws such as the BELA Act, stressing that no external interventions should undermine these key institutions.

The statement reassured GNU parties that mechanisms are in place to address the situation collectively and seek a harmonious resolution.

The office confirmed that representatives from the GNU Clearing House Mechanism will soon receive official communication detailing the next meeting, where recommendations from the Sub-committee will be presented.

The Deputy President urged all stakeholders to maintain the integrity of the process and reaffirmed the commitment to a transparent and inclusive resolution.

Meanwhile, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) was scathing in its response to the “so-called bilateral agreement.”

We will not allow racist organizations to insult our liberation struggles. Apartheid used language and education to oppress and discriminate against the black majority. History is repeating itself as the beneficiaries of colonial apartheid are again using language and education to discriminate against the black majority by blocking the Bela Act.

SADTU has accused the Minister of being on the side of “anti-transformation and a suitcase carrier of the racists in this country.”