- Tensions between the ANC and DA within government of national unity (GNU) are rising.
- DA withdraws support for budget votes of ministers accused of corruption.
- The ANC postponed two NEC meetings that were meant to discuss the DA’s future in the GNU.
Several ANC NEC members have rued the postponement of two NEC meetings, which were scheduled to discuss the fate of the DA.
In March, the ANC postponed the special NEC meeting, which was called to discuss the fate of the DA in the government of national unity (GNU) following that party’s decision to challenge the passing of the second fiscal budget.
Last week, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula informed members of the party that the NEC meeting scheduled for 26 June to 30 June was postponed to July.
Insiders believe that the NEC meeting would have been the one that should have decided to kick the DA out of the GNU.
Remember that at the time we were called to a special NEC meeting, many of us were unhappy with the DA. The meeting was called barely a week after we had an ordinary NEC meeting in Joburg.
A source
“That was the time the DA had taken the government, which they are part of, to court to challenge the passing of the budget without them supporting it,” said an ANC member.
City Press understands that Mbalula postponed the NEC meeting this week, citing the unavailability of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was scheduled to travel to Spain on a working visit.
However, Ramaphosa postponed the trip after the differences with the DA.
The postponed NEC was scheduled to discuss two items, with the GNU topping the agenda.
The party was also set to discuss the national general council, which is scheduled to be held in December.
The source said there had been a growing call for the party to get rid of the DA in the GNU and work with other political parties.
We have proven before that the ANC and the minority parties hold a majority.
A source
The source said many of the party officials were in agreement about the DA’s behaviour within the GNU.
The source said the latest “theatrics” and “empty” threats of withdrawing from the national dialogue were because Ramaphosa fired one of their senior members – the deputy minister of trade, industry, and competition, Andrew Whitfield, on Thursday.
Ramaphosa announced the dismissal of Whitfield after he had taken a trip to the US without his permission earlier this year.
The DA reacted by giving Ramaphosa 48 hours to reconsider his decision.
However, when Ramaphosa released a statement indicating that he was not going to be told what to do, the DA called a press conference to announce that they would be withdrawing from the national dialogue.
City Press understands that the DA’s intentions were made clear when its leader, John Steenhuisen, failed to attend the interministerial committee on national dialogue on Friday.
Sources say Steenhuisen sent an apology for not attending the first committee meeting.
Steenhuisen also threatened that should the ANC and its president, Ramaphosa, not rectify the error shortly, the DA would table a motion of no confidence against him.
Steenhuisen also announced that the party would not be supporting the budget vote of two departments, which are led by ministers who have been accused of corruption – Thembi Simelane (human settlements) and Nobuhle Nkabane (higher education)
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri expressed disappointment at the DA’s statement.
What they’ve said is disappointing. They are frowning upon the national dialogue, given the fact that they’ve been in support of that initiative and have now turned around to criticise it.
Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri
“We are frowning upon their conduct and the statement regarding the non-support for the budget votes of two ministers in the cabinet,” she said.
Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC would reserve its right on its stance.
She dismissed the notion that some members of the party wanted the DA to be kicked out of the GNU.