The DA can walk away from GNU, says Mbalula

The ANC is looking for alternative partners in the government of national unity (GNU) by pressing the “reset button” on the arrangement, says ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula – and if DA chooses to go, “then we will close the door”.

If that happens, then the ANC would “debate who comes in”, Mbalula added.

He said the ANC has “not taken a position about any political party in the GNU and that includes the DA”, remarking that “maybe the DA doesn’t want to be in GNU any more”.

Accusing the DA of acting “in bad faith” during its membership of the GNU, Mbalula claimed DA ministers have openly violated the executive ethics code.

“Minister [Siviwe] Gwarube refused to attend the Bela Bill signing into law. Another minister travelled abroad without the president’s permission and misrepresented South Africa,” he said.

DA defends its role

But DA leader John Steenhuisen hit back, saying the GNU was formed because “the electorate sent a clear message: single-party rule is over and no one party gets to dictate our policy direction”.

The DA said it had been “clear and consistent about our position on VAT [value-added tax] inside government and outside government. Not once has the DA gone outside of the GNU to lobby support for our position, which is what the ANC did.

“We have placed, before the president, a comprehensive set of proposals that will unlock growth and jobs. These are real, practical solutions that are necessary and foundational to secure South Africa’s fiscal future.”

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But Mbalula was in fighting mood, saying: “The DA can walk, even tonight. Let them walk. This GNU will not collapse with us at the helm.”

ANC applying pressure

Political analyst André Duvenage believed the ANC was applying stern political pressure on their long-time rivals.

“A good strategy is when you don’t give your opponent the room to operate and what is happening here is that the ANC is closing the room on the DA,” Duvenage said.

“That is to say to the DA, you must either follow our leadership or you must opt out. Clearly, the ANC does not want to fire the DA but there is pressure on the DA to leave on their own.”

Ramaphosa walking the tight rope

The tug-of-war also had implications for President Cyril Ramaphosa who, Duvenage said, was under pressure from the business community to lead the GNU.

He warned there was an anti-Ramaphosa faction looking to scupper the GNU, while an international trade circus was compounding domestic issues.

To solve the deadlock, he suggested a wider dialogue between all parties to formulate a coherent way to address fresh global economic challenges.

“There is huge economic and financial pressure on Ramaphosa to keep the GNU going, but there is also a rebellion within his own party and he needs to do a balancing act,” said Duvenage.

He said the best case for SA is still a GNU, but a unified government without the DA or the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) could not carry that title with legitimacy.

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There was also speculation that Mbalula deviated from the position taken at the earlier ANC national working committee meeting, which was that there would be “consequences” for parties which “undermine collective decisions” and “display contempt for transformation”.

The DA and FF+ voted against Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s budget in parliament last week, leading to furious ANC NEC members calling for the party to eject the two from the GNU.

‘A lot of horrible things happened’

Mbalula said: “A lot of horrible things have happened in the past five days” covering the debate over the budget.

“We are now deeply concerned by the conduct of the DA, whose participation in the GNU has been marred by double-dealing, negotiating and acting in bad faith and open disdain for transformation.

“The DA seeks to divide government, confuse the public and claim credit without assuming responsibility,” Mbalula said.

He also accused the DA of behaving as an “opposition force”, saying this has undermined the spirit of co-governance.

Mbalula noted the proposed increase in VAT has sparked public concern and opposition within the GNU.

“Nobody enjoys raising taxes. But governments need to generate resources to serve the people,” he said.

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