Cape Town – The Government of National Unity (GNU) is facing turbulence as the Democratic Alliance (DA) has decided to boycott the upcoming National Dialogue, sparking a heated exchange with the African National Congress (ANC). The ANC's Cyril Ramaphosa has labelled the DA as hypocritical, while DA leader John Steenhuisen fired back, calling Ramaphosa's comments "intemperate."
Why the Boycott?
The DA's decision stems from President Ramaphosa's dismissal of Andrew Whitfield as deputy minister and what they perceive as a lack of action against ANC ministers allegedly involved in controversy. Steenhuisen argues that the dialogue will be futile if the Cabinet remains populated by individuals implicated in state capture and corruption.
"If those things are to be implemented by the very people who are involved in state capture, corruption, maladministration and have shown a middle finger to Parliament and the general public through a farcical process of appointments, well if you are going to be relying on those people to be the one implementing your plans, then its going to end up like every other plan," Steenhuisen stated.
Ramaphosa's Rebuttal
President Ramaphosa dismissed the DA's concerns, stating that they were conflating unrelated issues. He emphasized that the National Dialogue would proceed regardless, encompassing various aspects of South African life, including culture, sport, and science. He added that the DA would be missing out on "the biggest show in SA" by choosing to remain outside the process.
Whitfield Debacle Fuels Leadership Tensions
Political analyst Anthony Butler suggests that the firing of Andrew Whitfield has amplified internal tensions within the DA, potentially bolstering activists seeking leadership change. The incident highlights the inherent challenges of coalition governance, particularly as elections approach, where parties often prioritize their distinct identities and voter bases.
- Mbeki criticizes Zille's perceived arrogance.
- Zille remains unfazed by potential consequences of the DA's withdrawal.
- The ANC views the DA's complaint against Nkabane as a reaction to Whitfield's dismissal.
The DA's boycott and the ensuing war of words signal potential instability within the GNU, raising questions about the coalition's long-term viability.