W Cape: ANC not celebrating yet
2004-04-15 20:34
Cape Town - Residents of the Western Cape might only know who their premier will be after the inauguration of the president on April 27.
The present provincial government could remain in existence until then, African National Congress premier candidate Ebrahim Rasool said on Thursday.
"There are only two time frames: April 23 for swearing in of new parliament and April 27 for the inauguration ... until then all current governments continue to exist," he told reporters in Cape Town.
"I think it is important to take time to ensure we put together a proper government not just personalities."
Pressed further on the issue, Rasool said the ANC and the NNP - who currently hold the premiership of the province - had an agreement over such matters.
"We have an agreement in place and we are going to do what is required of that agreement."
However, the ANC would only begin negotiation with the NNP once it had completed its own internal consultation.
Rasool said the ANC would not start popping the champagne corks just yet.
"Experience has taught us to remain humble. In 1994 we thought we were victorious and we were wrong in 1999 we though we had won and it was snatched away from us ... so we will wait for the absolute last vote."
In this spirit it would be premature to discuss the formation of a new government in the Western Cape, Rasool said.
The ANC was by Thursday night leading the battle for control of the province with 39.5%, followed by the DA with 34.6% and the NNP with 11%.
Watch the provisional results of the national and provincial elections as they come in on News24.com
- SAPA