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Negotiations on coaltion gov't going on: S.Africa opposition

Xinhua, August 10, 2016 Adjust font size:

South Africa's opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Wednesday that it is still continuing with its negotiations in earnest with the clear objective of putting together local governments.

These governments will give effect to the majority of the electorates' rejection of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and its management of local governments, the DA said.

The DA dismisses rumours that coalition agreements have been reached at this stage.

In the local government elections on August 3, the DA won the administrative capital of Pretoria and the strategic Nelson Mandela Bay, the first time since 1994 when apartheid was brought to an end.

In addition, the DA also won a number of smaller municipalities and succeeded in dragging the support for the ANC below 50 percent.

For lacking a majority of votes, the DA has to form coalition governments with other parties.

The DA on Wednesday denied allegations that it was horse-trading control of metros.

"The electorate has given parties a clear mandate to form a government that gives effect to change, by kicking out the ANC which has failed them by putting corruption first and services last," said James Selfe, Chairperson of DA Federal Council and Shadow Minister of Justice and Correctional Services.

"The DA will continue with all negotiations in the spirit of this mandate, which we fully respect and intend to uphold," he said.

This requires establishing workable, well-governed municipalities and metros that are able to create jobs, deliver better services and bring years of corruption to a complete stop, Selfe said.

DA-led governments will do this by making use of the pool of skills and talent that already exist in many of the existing administrations, he said.

"There will be no 'purging' of staff - every person who works hard, in the best interests of the people, and is qualified to do the job, will be welcome. Indeed, positions are not awarded on the basis of political allegiances in DA-run towns and cities," Selfe said. Enditem