The Democratic Alliance has demanded 12 cabinet posts including the appointment of their directors-general in government departments. While the DA is allegedly demanding 12 of the 30 posts, it's reported that the ANC is only offering them three posts.

In a letter addressed to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, DA federal chair Helen Zille outlined the party's desire for 12 cabinet posts in the Government of National Unity (GNU) and directors-general in all departments to be endorsed by the DA. As per the letter, the party demands among other department, Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Transport and the Department of Mineral Resource and Energy. "That directors-general in departments reporting to Democratic Alliance ministers are selected by panels consisting of Democratic Alliance ministers and submitted to the President for his approval and that such approval cannot reasonably be withheld. The contracts of all current DG's would also need to be reconsidered in light of our concern that incumbents may not be amenable to direction from Democratic Alliance ministers, especially given the ANC's Cadre Deployment policy," part of the letter reads.

The DA also said all tenders in departments reporting to the party ministers issued since the proclamation of the election date be reviewed. "It is not possible to effect change in a context where recent decisions by the previous government are rendered irreversible. A technical "clearing house" is established, consisting of a representative from each participating party, with a mandate to resolve differences over policy and other decisions of government by consensus, before they become a source of conflict in the Cabinet. In the event consensus isn't possible, sufficient consensus would be required, as contemplated in clause 19.3 of the Statement of Intent. If differences prove particularly intractable, they will need to be resolved by the President and leader of the Democratic Alliance. This approach would give proper effect to Clause 19 of the Statement of Intent," the letter reads. The ANC has been mum on the DA's demands.