By Zukile Majova
- Deputy president Paul Mashatile confirms the unity government will be reconfigured to include more parties.
- ANC moves to weaken the DA’s power in cabinet after they voted against the budget in parliament.
The government of national unity is heading for a major shake-up — and the Democratic Alliance may be the biggest loser.
Deputy president Paul Mashatile confirmed that a cabinet reshuffle is on the cards as the ANC works to bring more parties into the unity government.
The ANC has reopened talks with several parties that helped pass the national budget, after the DA voted against it. These parties include ActionSA, Rise Mzansi and Build One South Africa.
Currently, the DA holds six ministerial posts and five deputy positions. But now, they may have to give one up to make space for new allies.
Mashatile said: “Now, the leadership of the ANC, after what has happened recently, decided that we are going to reconfigure the alliance (GNU).
“We are going to reconfigure that alliance and we are going to reconfigure the GNU to ensure that we bring other parties on board with us but also ensure that we discuss this properly with all the parties,” said Mashatile.
He added that the ANC will meet the DA and Freedom Front Plus to discuss the new arrangement.
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba said they would take a cabinet post if offered one.
ANC secretary Fikile Mbalula confirmed that they have spoken to Rise Mzansi and ActionSA, who want no further VAT increases.
Beyond the passing of the budget in parliament, the immediate concern of the ANC is the division of revenue which includes the passing of budgets of different departments.
The ANC needs more support to pass departmental budgets — especially for health, where it hopes to fund trials for the National Health Insurance.
Talks are expected to continue next week.
The DA is also holding onto its influence in KwaZulu-Natal, where it joined forces with the ANC and IFP to take power. But it may use this as a bargaining chip if it is pushed too far.
Jacob Zuma’s MK party won 45% of the vote in KZN and missed taking the province by just three seats.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and MK party still refuse to join the unity government while it includes the DA and FF Plus. Together, they hold 25% of the seats in parliament.
DA leader John Steenhuisen wants a power-sharing deal where provinces have more control over their budgets, police, and infrastructure.
“The electorate sent a clear message: single party rule is over and no one party gets to dictate our policy direction. South Africa needs an era of co-governance, built on the implementation of bold, pro-growth reforms that create jobs and restores fiscal stability,” said Steenhuisen.
But the ANC is unlikely to accept a plan that gives provinces so much power.
Mbalula said: “One political party walking away from the GNU does not collapse the GNU.”
The vote on the budget framework was never enough to force the DA to walk out of the GNU but the reconfiguration of the unity government followed by a cabinet reshuffle could just be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
Pictured above: Paul Mashatile
Image: X
