WATCH: ‘No deal yet!’ − Speaker negotiations still not finalised, says Zille

Democratic Alliance (DA) federal chair Helen Zille has confirmed that a deal between the party and the African National Congress (ANC) has not been signed yet.

With the first sitting of the National Assembly for the 7^th administration taking place on Friday, Zille revealed that negotiations are still underway over the speaker of the National Assembly and deputy speaker positions.

Zille said if the proceedings start before securing a signature on paper, the DA won’t vote with the ANC.

Watch Helen Zille saying there is no deal yet

#eNCA senior reporter @SiphamandlaGoge spoke to the Chairperson of DA Federal Council's Hellen Zille is at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. #NewsLink #DStv403 #QuestionThinkAct pic.twitter.com/JDYD7MYe4e

— eNCA (@eNCA) June 14, 2024

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No deal

“No deal has been made yet,” she told eNCA.

“We are still speaking about the last clauses of an agreement, which we haven’t yet agreed on… We are trying to find a wording that protects our interests. We won’t be taken for a ride.

“This has never been done before. There’s not a country anywhere in the world where people can negotiate such an arrangement within two weeks, in Germany they take months,” Zille said.

Progressive Caucus

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Al Jama-ah, United Democratic Movement, United Africans Transformation, African Transformation Movement and the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania wrote to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, asking for a meeting on Friday morning ahead of the first sitting of the 7^th parliament.

This is despite the EFF on Thursday saying the party will not be participating in the ANC’s Government of National Unity (GNU).

The six parties, which call themselves the Progressive Caucus, are disgruntled about having been excluded from discussions about the GNU.  

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