Mbalula says DA's future in GNU can't be ANC's burden as MK party clarifies missing MPs in budget vote

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‘The ball is in their court. They have chosen the path.’

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has placed the responsibility of deciding whether to leave the government of national unity (GNU) on the Democratic Alliance (DA).

This follows the DA’s opposition to the adoption of a report on the fiscal framework and revenue proposals — an essential aspect of the budget — in the National Assembly this week, signalling cracks within the GNU.

The adoption included recommendations — proposed by ActionSA — that the National Treasury must explore alternative revenue streams within 30 days to replace planned increases in value-added tax (VAT) and adjustments to personal income tax brackets.

Mbalula criticises DA’s approach to budget

Speaking to the media in Diepsloot, Gauteng, on Friday, Mbalula accused the DA of prioritising its own “narrow interests” rather than the country’s.

“The ANC, when we chose the path of GNU, we chose South Africa. It is South Africa and all of us behind.

“It is South Africa first and national interest. If we wanted a partnership with the DA only, we would have done that, and we’d call it the grand coalition,” he said.

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While highlighting that the ANC itself did not support the proposed VAT increase, Mbalula criticised the DA’s rejection of the fiscal framework.

“To them, everything is political football. They’ve forgotten about their role as patriots as the DA.”

“They are throwing loose slogans like ‘we are working for the poor’… I mean, that’s a joke. We are faced with a problem of balancing the budget.”

He said the ANC also took issue with the DA’s attempt to negotiate a trade-off by accepting the VAT hike in exchange for the contentious Expropriation Act.

“You cannot want to win what you lost through the budget process,” Mbalula asserted.

ANC leaders to meet amid uncertainty over DA’s GNU future

The ANC’s national working committee (NWC) is expected to meet next week to discuss the latest developments and, if necessary, make recommendations to the national executive committee (NEC).

“We, as a party, are processing some of the issues that some of the political parties have raised when we were engaging with them in talks with regards to the budget.”

“The leadership on Monday will meet and we will reflect on these developments,” Mbalula explained.

He maintained that the DA was free to exit the GNU, especially after taking legal action against the passing of the fiscal framework.

“The ball is in their court. They have chosen the path. They must analyse and decide on the implications [because] if you say you don’t want a budget at all costs, you must walk.”

“Now, we are being given a burden to decide the DA’s fate in the GNU, [but] it can’t be our burden.”

Drawing an analogy, Mbalula likened the DA’s rejection of the budget to a friend refusing to attend another’s wedding.

“It means we are no longer on good terms, and they have chosen to walk away. It is their burden.”

Watch the briefing below:

He emphasised that the DA “can’t have both sides”.

Mbalula added that the ANC remained committed to the GNU.

“We are not interested in running havoc and running down this economy that is already facing a number of challenges.”

MK Party on budget vote outcome

Meanwhile, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has dismissed any blame for the passing of the fiscal framework.

Two of the party’s members of Parliament (MPs) were not present, in addition to eight vacant parliamentary seats it is yet to fill.

The Jacob Zuma-led political formation will only be able to fill these vacancies after 29 May due to legal restrictions outlined in the Electoral Act, which limits how frequently a party can alter its parliamentary list within 12 months.

MK party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu said during a media briefing in Sandton on Friday that other parties faced the same limitation.

“They have also exhausted that space,” he said.

Shivambu further indicated that the party was considering challenging the legislation in court.

He further emphasised the MK party’s opposition to the VAT increase.

“There was no negligence on our part as uMkhonto weSizwe when it came to voting on the VAT dynamic and fiscal framework and proposals.

“We went full force; we opposed the proposals in the committee. The ANC tried to speak to public representatives in Parliament; they even tried to reach out to the leadership, and we told them that we would never agree to a fiscal framework that seeks to increase VAT as part of the revenue proposals. That is our position.”