Ramaphosa insists no discord over NDP

DEPUTY President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied that the government is divided on the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP), despite criticism from the left of the governing alliance.

DA MP David Maynier put it to Ramaphosa that the government was not truly committed to the NDP given the criticism voiced by Public Works Deputy Minister Jeremy Cronin, who is also deputy secretary-general of the SACP.

But Ramaphosa said he would “not disown” Cronin.

Ramaphosa was taken to task by EFF chief whip Floyd Shivambu, who raised the point that the NDP’s goals could not be realised given the poor economic growth rate.

Ramaphosa responded: “We are facing significant economic headwinds and challenges.

“We have to admit that we are not alone. It is a global situation.”

He said there were some domestic causes for the economic slowdown, including skills shortages, systemic constraints, strained labour relations, low savings levels and energy shortages.

The lower international demand for minerals had also slowed down the South African economy, Ramaphosa said.

He evaded questions by DA leader Mmusi Maimane on corruption in the Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa), refusing to be drawn on any specifics and limiting himself to a general denunciation of all corruption.