The African National Congress (ANC) has raised serious concerns about the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) conduct within the Government of National Unity (GNU), accusing the party of bad faith, political dishonesty, and undermining collective governance.
In a strongly-worded statement, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the GNU was never going to be an easy arrangement, especially given the ideological differences between the ANC and its coalition partners. However, he said the ANC expected discipline and cooperation from all parties involved.
VIOLATIONS AND UNDERMINING OF TRANSFORMATION
“We are now deeply concerned by the conduct of the Democratic Alliance (DA), whose participation in the GNU has been marred by double-dealing, negotiating and acting in bad faith, and open disdain for transformation,” said Mbalula.
He criticised DA ministers for breaching the Executive Ethics Code, citing instances such as Minister Nomafrench Mbombo’s alleged overseas trip without presidential approval and Minister Gwarube’s reported refusal to attend the signing of the BELA Bill into law. “Such acts are a betrayal of public service and erode the GNU’s credibility,” he said.
According to Mbalula, the DA continues to position itself as an opposition force, despite holding Cabinet positions. “While the GNU Cabinet adopted three strategic priorities aligned with the ANC’s Manifesto and endorsed the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP), the DA has simultaneously opposed key legislative priorities, including the BELA Act, National Health Insurance (NHI), and Land Expropriation Amendment,” he added.
RESET BUTTON AND RE-ENGAGEMENTS
Speaking at a media briefing at Luthuli House on Tuesday, Mbalula confirmed that the ANC would “press the reset button” on the GNU and re-open talks with other parties, following rising tensions and the DA’s decision to vote against the Budget Fiscal Framework alongside the Freedom Front Plus (FF+), EFF, MK Party, ATM, and ACDP.
However, he stopped short of announcing the DA’s expulsion from the GNU. “The NEC adopted the position of the GNU and nothing has changed in relation to that,” Mbalula said, noting that only the National Executive Committee could make that decision.
BUDGET BATTLES AND VAT CONTROVERSY
Tensions between the ANC and DA escalated after the DA voted against the national budget, specifically objecting to the proposed increase in Value Added Tax (VAT). Mbalula acknowledged the budget process had become more complex in the context of the GNU, requiring broader consultation. “We’ve entered uncharted waters,” he said.
TALKS WITH OTHER PARTIES
The ANC has reportedly reached out to parties outside the GNU — including ActionSA — to secure support for the budget, with a reported agreement to scrap the VAT increase within 30 days and adjust personal income tax brackets to ease the burden on working South Africans.
ACTIONSA STANDS FIRM ON VAT CONDITIONS
ActionSA has responded to the ANC’s internal discussions about reconfiguring the GNU by making it clear that it will not entertain any talks until the controversial VAT increase is scrapped.
In a statement, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba said the party would only consider engagement if key tax issues — specifically the VAT hike and income tax bracket creep — were reversed.
Mashaba emphasised that while there were media reports, the ANC had not made any formal approach to ActionSA on the GNU matter. However, he confirmed that the party was open to dialogue around the ongoing budget crisis.
“ActionSA took the responsible step to end the budget impasse and protect South Africans from their national budget being used as a political football, on the strict condition that both the VAT increase and income tax bracket creep are removed,” he said.
PROPOSALS FOR ALTERNATIVE REVENUE
Mashaba noted that ActionSA had submitted proposals offering over R100 billion in alternative revenue to offset the tax increases. He reiterated that no political discussions would proceed until the financial burden on South Africans was addressed.
President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier admitted that Treasury was struggling to find viable alternatives to the 0.5% VAT increase, despite the agreement with ActionSA to support the 2025 Budget. He said engagements with partners would continue in an attempt to find consensus.
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