'Please file your resignation papers,' McKenzie tells Steenhuisen

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Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie has urged Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen to resign from the Government of National Unity (GNU).

This call comes after the DA announced its intention to challenge the approval of the budget, which was passed earlier this week. The budget received support from 194 MPs, while 182 voted against it, allowing Parliament to continue considering the remaining budget legislation.

Gayton McKenzie calls for Steenhuisen to resign

In response to the decision, Steenhuisen expressed his dissatisfaction and stated that his party would file legal papers in the Western Cape High Court to contest Parliament’s approval of the 2025/26 National Budget.

“The DA will file papers in the Western Cape High Court to challenge Parliament’s passing of the 2025/26 National Budget. This VAT hike budget will make life more expensive for everyone and the DA will go to court to fight for the interests of all South Africans,” the DA leader posted on X (formerly Twitter).

In response to Steenhuisen’s tweet, McKenzie challenged him to step out of GNU.

“Pls also file your resignation papers at same time,” the Patriotic Alliance leader said.

The DA’s future in the GNU remains uncertain after the ANC called on ‘smaller aprties’to help pass the budget. Steenhuisen has lashed at McKenzie’s party, together with five other political parties.

“It is unthinkable that ActionSA has handed this VAT hike to the ANC on a platter, and it is both unlawful and unconstitutional how Parliament processed the budget,” he said.

“ActionSA and the ANC were joined in passing this VAT Budget by the IFP, PA, GOOD, RiseMzansi, UDM, PAC, Al-Jamah and BOSA who collectively have chosen to make life more expensive for South Africans.”