By Zukile Majova
- The ANC is now in talks with the EFF as its relationship with the DA breaks down over the national budget.
- The EFF says it’s ready to join the government but only if the DA and Freedom Front Plus are kicked out of the GNU.
The ANC is now talking to the EFF with hopes of getting support for its budget in Parliament — but it also wants to bring the Fighters into the Government of National Unity (GNU).
The GNU was formed out of fear that the ANC might team up with its more radical offshoots — the EFF and Jacob Zuma’s MK party.
Even before the elections, it was clear the ANC would not be able to govern on its own anymore.
But business leaders, investors and civil society feared that an alliance with the far left would destroy the progress made since 1994.
So to keep the economy stable and protect jobs, it was agreed that the ANC should form a GNU — but not include the EFF or MK party.
Both parties were pushing for land expropriation without compensation, and MK even wanted the Constitution scrapped.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, already unpopular, became even more unpopular when he brought the DA into the GNU.
Even though both parties wanted to save the country from corruption and state capture, the ANC and the DA have struggled to work together.
Now, a major fight over the national budget has brought tensions to a boiling point — and it’s threatening to tear the GNU apart.
Inside the ANC alliance, there’s talk that the GNU may need to be restructured or even reconfigured.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the DA is trying to hold the ANC hostage by blocking its transformation plans.
These plans include enforcing the minimum wage, Black Economic Empowerment, Affirmative Action, education reforms and the Expropriation Act.
The DA is refusing to back a budget that includes a 1% VAT increase. This has pushed the ANC to seek support from the EFF.
EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini confirmed that talks began this week — but made it clear the EFF also rejects a VAT hike.
It’s still not clear what kind of deal the ANC is offering, but the EFF won’t support the ANC for free.
“They are in the GNU and we are in the opposition, we don’t support any VAT increase but our doors are open for genuine negotiations, not trying to trick us or blackmail us into some discussion because you are scared of white people.
“To put it simply, the EFF will get into genuine and serious negotiations with the ANC when the DA and the Freedom Front Plus is not there,” said Dlamini on Saturday.
Dlamini told the SABC that the EFF wants to be in government.
So far, ANC and EFF chief whips in Parliament have met. The next step will be talks between top leaders.
From what the EFF is saying, it seems they want seats in Ramaphosa’s cabinet.
But political experts warn that Ramaphosa and DA leader John Steenhuisen must urgently work things out to save the GNU. Any changes to the GNU now could hurt the economy and stall job creation for millions.
Pictured above: ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa shaking hands with EFF Commander in Chief Julius Malema.
Image source: Economic Freedom Fighters/Facebook
