South Africans should brace for rising political tensions within the Government of National Unity (GNU), as relations between key partners continue to fray. This comes after the Democratic Alliance (DA) announced its withdrawal from the National Dialogue over the weekend, following the dismissal of its senior MP Andrew Whitfield from cabinet.
President Cyril Ramaphosa removed Whitfield after the DA member undertook an unauthorised trip to the United States—an act seen as breaching executive protocol.
In response, the DA has taken a hardline stance, vowing not to support any budget allocations for departments headed by African National Congress (ANC) ministers implicated in corruption.
Political analyst Dr Imraan Buccus believes the DA’s latest moves could further destabilise the already fragile GNU.
“When you have two parties that are ideologically worlds apart, it becomes difficult to find common ground on key issues like economic policy,” Buccus explained. “The DA favours minimal state intervention, whereas the ANC tends to support a stronger role for the state.”
Buccus also defended Ramaphosa’s decision to axe Whitfield, saying it was politically sound.
“Politics is a game of power dynamics. Whitfield’s unauthorised trip placed the DA in a weak position—clearly at odds with the chain of command,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ANC has hit back. In a strongly worded statement, ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu warned that the ruling party may reconsider its support for budget votes affecting DA-led departments.
Bhengu also challenged the DA to clarify its stance within the GNU.
“The DA must decide whether it wants to govern in unity or act as the opposition,” she said, dismissing the party’s threat of a no-confidence motion against Ramaphosa. “The ANC is fully prepared to defend the President in Parliament.”
As the political fallout continues, questions are mounting over the GNU’s durability and whether it can survive mounting internal discord.