Steenhuisen warns firing Gwarube would end GNU

John Steenhuisen

Cape Town – Minister of Agriculture and DA leader John Steenhuisen has warned that firing Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube would mark the collapse of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

This comes amid a report by Sunday Times that President Cyril Ramaphosa is under pressure from within the ANC to dismiss Gwarube following tensions over the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act.

Speaking on the ongoing controversy surrounding the Act, Steenhuisen addressed claims of misinformation regarding the consultation process initiated after the president signed the law nearly three months ago.

While clauses 4 and 5 of the Act were withheld to allow for further consultation, he said that this process remains ongoing through the GNU’s clearing house mechanism.

Steenhuisen said that he opposed any efforts by a faction of the ANC to pressure the president into dismissing Gwarube, or any other DA minister, for simply carrying out their duties.

“Doing so would signal an end to the government of national unity (GNU). This amid misinformation about the consultation process which has been taking place since the president signed the Bela Act into law nearly three months ago, withholding clauses 4 and 5, to allow for further consultation from concerned parties. These consultations are ongoing through the clearing house mechanism within the GNU,” he said in a statement.

Steenhuisen highlighted the minister’s recent engagement with members of Solidarity and the Presidency at NEDLAC after a union dispute.

He emphasised that this engagement was legally mandated to prevent strike action and was separate from the broader consultation process. The outcome of the NEDLAC engagement, a settlement signed by the Minister of Basic Education, the Presidency, and the union, was in line with legal obligations.

“The Presidency’s decision to distance itself from this legislated process, which they were party to, is as disgraceful as it is confusing,” Steenhuisen remarked.

Reaffirming his support for Gwarube, he said: “We support the process followed by the minister as she was fulfilling her legally obligated responsibilities. We respect the outcome of the negotiations at NEDLAC.”

The DA leader reiterated the party’s commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth, job creation, and adherence to the rule of law and the Constitution. “Anything to the contrary will not be tolerated,” Steenhuisen asserted.

The ongoing tensions underscore the fragile balance within the GNU, as parties navigate disputes while trying to maintain unity in governance.

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