ANC commends FF Plus

May 12 2009 at 12:36PM

The African National Congress on Tuesday commended the Freedom Front Plus for making available its president, Pieter Mulder, to serve in President Jacob Zuma's Cabinet.

"We do not take such an important gesture lightly. We believe it will ensure that a diversity of views is represented in the government," said ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte in a statement.

Zuma named Mulder as deputy minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries when he announced his Cabinet on Sunday.

The move sparked criticism from the youth wing of Mulder's party.

Its leader Cornelius Jansen van Rensburg said Mulder had accepted the post without the approval of his party.
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However, Jansen Van Rensburg was subsequently suspended by the party pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing against him for issuing the media release in which he made the comments against Mulder.

The DA accused Mulder of putting "pension before principle" and of betraying opposition party voters.

ANC alliance partner the Congress of SA Trade Unions welcomed Mulder saying his appointment showed that Afrikaners could contribute to the country's economy.

The ruling party assured the 34-strong Cabinet of its "unwavering support" and congratulated its deputy president, Kgalema Motlanthe for taking up the number two spot in government.

Zuma also announced the re-structuring of Cabinet with some departments split as well as the addition of new bodies such as the National Planning Commission, to be headed by Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel, and the Performance Monitoring and Evaluation and Administration, to be led by another Minister in the Presidency, Collins Chabane.

"The ANC welcomes the re-organisation of Cabinet and national departments to achieve better alignment and co-ordination, the electoral mandate as per the ANC election manifesto, and the developmental challenges that face the country," Duarte said.

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