The Democratic Alliance’s behaviour in the government of national unity is starting to resemble the boy who cried “Wolf!” to get attention, except this time, it’s the country that could suffer when the real danger comes, writes Zukile Majova in Real Politics.
How many times has the DA threatened to collapse the very government it helped to form, supposedly to rescue South Africa?
The government of national unity was born out of a desire to revive Nelson Mandela’s vision of a rainbow nation. For many South Africans trapped in poverty and joblessness, it still represents the best shot at rebuilding the country. But instead of moving forward, the ANC and the DA have turned it into a political battlefield.
This week, DA leader and agriculture minister John Steenhuisen took things to a new level. He issued an ultimatum to President Cyril Ramaphosa: fire ANC ministers implicated in wrongdoing, or else. His outrage followed the president’s decision to sack Andrew Whitfield, the former deputy minister of trade and industry, who happens to be a DA member.
The problem? Whitfield was fired for travelling abroad without presidential approval, something every minister knows is against the rules. But instead of addressing that fact, Steenhuisen accused Ramaphosa of using the dismissal to protect corruption in his cabinet. He accused the president of targeting a whistleblower while shielding others like Thembi Simelane and Nobuhle Nkabane, who face various allegations.
It was a dramatic speech in Parliament, with Steenhuisen making it sound like Ramaphosa had launched a political attack on the DA. He said the president had “removed a DA deputy minister for doing his job,” while leaving “serial underperformers” and state capture figures untouched.
Yet Ramaphosa had done the courteous thing: he informed Steenhuisen of his decision in advance and invited the DA to nominate a replacement. The position remains theirs to fill.
The DA claims Whitfield was axed for opposing “suspect appointments” and standing in the way of looting linked to the Transformation Fund and the National Lottery. If this is true, they are within their rights to demand answers. But turning every disagreement into a crisis weakens the GNU itself.
Now, because of Steenhuisen’s noise, Ramaphosa has agreed to explain his actions publicly. This sets a risky precedent; future cabinet changes might all need public justifications, making it harder for the president to lead.
That’s a small political win for the DA, and a reminder to the ANC that GNU partners expect consultation. But it’s also a dangerous game.
In the past, Helen Zille, chair of the DA’s Federal Executive, said the party has never formally discussed leaving the GNU. She insisted they are there to “stand their ground” and push back against ANC bullying. Her latest remarks, “We are not there to be used as voting fodder to prop up the ANC”, underline that combative stance.
It may be necessary political posturing. But every outburst chips away at investor confidence and public trust in the GNU’s stability. It makes it harder to promote South Africa as a place for investment and growth.
The DA must now learn to govern, not just oppose. Threats and ultimatums worked on the opposition benches, but they don’t help in the cabinet. When Steenhuisen warns, “All bets are off,” he sounds like he’s planning for failure, not progress.
His ultimatum was clear: fire Simelane, Nkabane, and other ANC ministers within 48 hours—or face the consequences. But Ramaphosa stood firm: “There is no basis for suggestions that the dismissal of the former deputy minister is related to any other reason than his failure to receive permission to travel.”
Ordinary South Africans don’t care about political drama. They want jobs, clean governance and economic growth. If the GNU can’t deliver that, then it should collapse and be rebuilt.
A DA walkout would be regrettable. But the GNU will survive with or without them. It’s time for all parties to stop playing to the gallery and get to work.
Pictured above: John Steenhuisen and Cyril Ramaphosa.
Image source: File
