WATCH: ‘If DA wants SA to function, they’ll come to the party,’ Mbalula says

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said if the DA wants South Africa to function, they “will come to the party”.

The ANC was speaking to various government of national unity (GNU) partners in a bid to strengthen a coalition hurt by disagreements over the national budget.

The ANC and the DA leadership described as “constructive” weekend discussions to break the budget impasse and reconfigure the GNU.

The two parties met on Saturday, with DA federal council chair Helen Zille leading the DA delegation.

‘ANC shopping’

Committing to being part of the GNU since the fallout with the ANC over the failure to support the fiscal framework of the budget, Zille said the party was “committed to finding solutions in the best interests of South Africa”.

Mbalula told eNCA that the ANC passed the fiscal framework without the DA.

“We’ve got the bigger responsibility than the DA and everyone else to run this country, to lead as the leading party. Answers are expected from us, not from the DA. They’ve got the luxury to want to punt political victory even where it is not needed.”

WATCH: Fikile Mbalula on the DA and the GNU

“Do you want this country to be reduced to rubble because of reckless decisions? Should the ANC behave like a small puppy in the GNU?” ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. pic.twitter.com/hiiSLv5abF

— eNCA (@eNCA) April 13, 2025

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SA must function

Mbalula said the ANC wants South Africa “to function.”

“If they [DA] are interested for this country to function, they will come to the party. We all want South Africa to succeed. Do you want this country to be reduced to rubble because of reckless decisions? Should the ANC behave like a small puppy in the GNU? No, we’ve got much bigger responsibility than anyone.

“Even our members, wherever they are, they scream, ‘get the DA out, get the DA out’. If we were thinking like a puppy, very small in ideas, not for South Africa and national interest, that decision wouldn’t have been taken yesterday,” Mbalula said.

‘SA first’

Mbalula said South Africa must come first.

“The case is for me and you who don’t have two passports, we’ve got one. South Africa must be defended at all cost, and South Africa must win and that’s what is important,” Mbalula said.

Earlier this month, the National Assembly approved a report adopting the national budget.

On 2 April, 194 Members of Parliament (MPs) voted in favour of the Standing Committee on Finance’s report on the fiscal framework and revenue proposals, while 182 MPs opposed it.

However, several political parties have opposed the budget, with the DA having taken the matter to the Western Cape High Court.

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