Cape Town – The ANC has warned that the collapse of budget negotiations could lead to a reconfiguration of the Government of National Unity (GNU), accusing some parties of using the process for political gain.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the GNU but stressed that internal squabbles could force a review of its structure.
The ANC has been in discussions with various parties, including the DA, to secure support for the budget.
“If you engage with these processes based on political scoring, it may lead to situations in which the GNU itself, at the ultimate, given the outcome, has to be reconfigured.
“The ANC is committed to the GNU with all its partners, but the maturity of these partners is very important for the GNU,” Mbalula said during a media briefing on Tuesday.
[WATCH] ANC Secretary-General, Cde Fikile Mbalula, responds to questions regarding the DA’s preconditions for supporting the Budget.
“If you engage with this process on the basis of political scoring, it may lead to situations where in which GNU itself, at the ultimate, (given… pic.twitter.com/Z2x7BLvBMe
— ANC – African National Congress (@MYANC) April 1, 2025
He added: The ANC is not wielding an axe to cut people in the GNU. They will cut themselves out and we will procceed… Bu at the end of the day, we are committed to the country and we are very much confident that we will ccross and with a major breakthrough…
“But if people come with political agendas that they want to be seen to be doing things in a different manner, it will affect the GNU in the long term and that’s what we need to understand.”
However, DA leader John Steenhuisen criticised the ANC for not finalising an agreement on growth and spending reforms, threatening to oppose the budget unless a written deal is reached.
“Time is almost up. Last night, the ANC refused to finalise an agreement on growth and spending reforms, imperilling the GNU. The DA will oppose the budget unless and until a written agreement is reached,” he wrote on X.
Time is almost up. Last night, the ANC refused to finalise an agreement on growth and spending reforms, imperilling the GNU. The DA will oppose the budget unless and until a written agreement is reached.
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) April 1, 2025
In response, Mbalula urged the DA to be pragmatic, insisting that negotiations were ongoing and progress was being made.
A finance committee meeting on Tuesday could provide further clarity on the fiscal framework vote, but the outcome remains uncertain.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
