The ANC says an announcement about the new cabinet will be made in “the coming days”, despite its apparent dissatisfaction over a leaked letter in which the DA insists on, among other things, 11 Cabinet posts.

This after the ANC reportedly only offered the party 3 Cabinets positions initially.

In a statement issued last night, the ANC says it takes note that some parties have been making ”outlandish” and ”outrageous” demands for specific Cabinet positions through the media.

The letter in question was sent by Helen Zille, Chairman of the DA’s Federal Council, to Fikile Mbalula, Secretary General of the ANC, on Sunday.

In it, the DA insists that John Steenhuisen be appointed as Deputy President.

The DA also wants the posts of the Ministers of Mineral Resources and Energy, Transport (including Transnet), Trade and Industry, Public Works and Infrastructure, Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Public Service and Administration, Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs, Justice, Home Affairs, International Relations and Cooperation, and Communication and Digital Technology.

They have also asked for the posts of Deputy Ministers in all these portfolios as well as the Deputy Minister of Finance.

In addition, the DA wants to have a say in the appointment of Directors-General and wants to see that all tenders in these departments are reviewed.

There was also a request for a committee that could resolve disputes about policy before it led to a dispute in the GNU.

The ANC however says no party can hold the government of national unity ”hostage.”

It has also expressed criticism that parties leak their demands through the media.

Negotiating through leaking demands to the media is an act of bad faith and this practice will not help the cause of any party. It is only the President who has the final say on the appointment of his Cabinet.

Despite this, the ANC says the second phase of the establishment of the GNU is well on track and the long-awaited announcement is drawing closer.

The people need a government to be established sooner, rather than later. The ANC confirms that since the announcement of the historic agreement between 10 South African political parties to form an ANC-led Government of National Unity (GNU) for the 7th democratic administration, Phase 2 of the establishment of the GNU is well underway with the highly anticipated announcement Ramaphosa drawing close.

The ten parties that form part of the GNU include the ANC (159), DA (87), IFP (17), PA (9), FF+ (6), UDM (3), RISE Mzansi (2), Al Jamah (2), PAC (1) and GOOD (1).

Together, these parties represent an overwhelming majority of over 70% (287) of the 400 seats in the National Assembly.

During the first phase towards the formation of the GNU, the DA, ANC and IFP worked together to elect the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, President as well as the Chairperson of the NCOP.

A meeting between President Ramaphosa and Steenhuisen yesterday is said to have been “constructive”.

READ: Ramaphosa: Government of national unity must put people’s interests first