Cape Town — Amidst growing political tensions, the African National Congress (ANC) and Democratic Alliance (DA) have clashed over the inclusion of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) in the newly-formed Government of National Unity (GNU).
The controversy began when ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula announced the potential inclusion of other parties, like the PA, in the governing structure of South Africa.
This move prompted a sharp response from DA Federal Council Chair Helen Zille, who insisted that GNU partners must be consulted before any new parties are admitted, The Citizen reported.
Zille said the party was not consulted about the PA’s inclusion, saying that the ANC can no longer make decisions on their own, and she wrote a letter to Mbalula. Mbalula said the ANC would not close doors to parties interested in joining the GNU.
Helen Zille (DA):
ANC can’t just bring people in, GNU must agree. Fikile Mbalula must read clause 24 of the document he signed.Clement:
Were you consulted about the PA & PAC?Helen Zille:
We were consulted about PAC, Good & UDM but not the PA. The ANC can’t take all the… pic.twitter.com/PxHAmAhHvT— Izwe Lethu (@LandNoli) June 19, 2024
In response to the claims made by Zille, PA leader Gayton McKenzie and PA Secretary-General Chinelle Stevens expressed their concern and disappointment at Zille’s outburst and dismissed the remarks, TimesLIVE reported.
“A coalition document is not an enforceable legal contract unless it is made an order of the court. We all have been invited by the ANC. Let them be the ones disinviting us and not the DA,” McKenzie said.
“Zille’s utterances about the inclusion of the PA in the GNU show that she believes she must have signed an agreement with the ANC, meaning the ANC must now do the DA’s bidding,” Stevens added.
The Patriotic Alliance responds to talks surrounding the Government of National Unity: #OnsBaizaNie pic.twitter.com/AMsMLBfFaK
— Patriotic Alliance (@OnsBaizaNie) June 19, 2024
According to EWN, the ANC weighed in on the dispute, with Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli criticising the DA’s stance.
“We see ourselves as equal partners in the GNU. There is no big brother. This thing of the DA wanting to be consulted before others can join is a strange way of thinking. It’s a betrayal of what this GNU principle actually says,” Ntuli said.
Political analysts weighed in on Zille’s comments, with Sandile Swana saying this highlights deeper tension within the GNU and shows signs of mismanagement, while Wayne Sussman said the spirit of cooperation could still prevail and the parties have entered into a remarkable agreement.
As the political landscape continues to shift, the dynamics within the GNU will undoubtedly shape the future governance of South Africa. The ANC, having lost its majority for the first time since 1994, must navigate these coalition waters carefully to maintain stability and progress.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
