Pretoria – Tensions are running high within South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) as the Democratic Alliance (DA) has declared a formal dispute, escalating a long-simmering conflict with its African National Congress (ANC) coalition partners.
The dispute, announced on the eve of the crucial Cabinet lekgotla, threatens to unravel the coalition and casts a shadow over the country's political landscape.
At the heart of the matter are fundamental disagreements over key policy issues, including the National Health Insurance (NHI), the recently signed Expropriation Act, and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s localisation policy. DA ministers and deputy ministers feel consistently undermined by their ANC counterparts, leading to a series of public clashes and accusations of a lack of cooperation.
DA leader and Agriculture Minister, John Steenhuisen, revealed that the party formally initiated the dispute after President Cyril Ramaphosa failed to engage with their concerns regarding the NHI and the Expropriation Act.
The dispute hinges on Clause 19 of the declaration of intent signed by parties joining the GNU. This clause stipulates that sufficient consensus on state decisions and policy requires agreement from parties holding at least 60% of parliamentary representation. Given the ANC's 40.2% support and the DA's 21.8%, the ANC needs DA agreement to reach this threshold. Failure to reach consensus necessitates referral to the GNU’s dispute resolution mechanism.
Steenhuisen’s letter to Ramaphosa, sent on Friday, formally invoked Clause 19, demanding a resolution. He cautioned, "The president needs to accept that his party is now just another minority party and that the DA are partners in the GNU," emphasising that the dispute was not an ultimatum but a request for a reset of the coalition’s working relationship. He also pointed out the ANC's reliance on DA votes for crucial legislative processes such as budget approval and the medium-term development plan.
The conflict has manifested in several high-profile disagreements. Following President Ramaphosa's signing of the Expropriation Act, which permits expropriation of property without compensation under certain circumstances, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson publicly declared on X (formerly Twitter), "(T)here will be NO expropriation of private property without compensation on my watch. The guarantee of property rights under Section 25 of the Constitution is not up for debate and is non-negotiable.”
This stance directly contradicted that of his deputy minister, Sihle Zikalala (ANC), who declared on X, "We stand ready to defend the Expropriation Act and ensure its timely implementation!" Deputy President Paul Mashatile subsequently suggested Macpherson resign if he could not implement the Act, a suggestion Macpherson rejected unless directed to do so by his party leader.
Further friction arose over Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau’s (ANC) plan to establish a R100 billion transformation fund to support black businesses by 2029. DA Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield expressed his shock and concern, stating in an interview with Hanlie Retief that the “usual departmental process” had not been followed to inform him about the fund.
Whitfield added, "When the minister last week… provided more information, quite rightly, it sparked quite a bit of public outrage. I was just as shocked." These incidents are just two examples of numerous policy clashes between ANC ministers and their DA deputies in recent months.
The upcoming Cabinet lekgotla is expected to be dominated by the ongoing debate surrounding the NHI. Last year’s lekgotla ended prematurely due to a heated disagreement between DA ministers and Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi (ANC) over the inclusion of the NHI in its current form in the medium-term development plan.
President Ramaphosa intervened, sending the matter back to relevant committees for further negotiation. Feedback is now expected at this year’s lekgotla. The DA remains steadfast in its opposition to the NHI in its current format, citing its potential negative impact on the economy. A DA government source, speaking anonymously, stated, "NHI is fundamentally bad for the economy. And we are in this government to sort out the economy."
The DA proposes a compromise: mandatory medical coverage for all formally employed South Africans, with the state competing with private medical schemes through a modified NHI to offer more affordable insurance. Those unable to afford private insurance would continue to receive care at state hospitals. While ANC sources have reportedly discussed this compromise, Minister Motsoaledi vehemently denies its existence, stating at a World Economic Forum (WEF) panel discussion in Davos, "There is no such plan from either the ANC or the government."
He further described the push for universal healthcare as "a big war," citing ongoing lawsuits against the NHI. The DA has indicated it will challenge the NHI’s constitutionality in court if the ANC proceeds with its current implementation plan.
A DA source, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed concern about the potential consequences of leaving the GNU, stating, "We can't just walk out of the government, because then we throw the economy and our voters to the wolves. We will continue to fight. I expect that it will eventually lead to the ANC kicking us out of the government within the next few months."
The source highlighted the significant legal challenges facing the NHI and the lack of private sector support, concluding that the onus is on President Ramaphosa to find a solution.
President Ramaphosa, speaking at the ANC’s NEC lekgotla, reiterated the party’s commitment to implementing the policies of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) within the GNU, specifically focusing on education, land, and health. He declared, "Those who doubt that we will promote this policy will see that we stay on this path." This statement further underscores the deep ideological divide between the ANC and the DA.
Other contentious issues on the lekgotla agenda include the government's localisation policy, which the DA argues inflates prices for consumers, and the DA’s call for private sector management of certain ports, such as the Cape Town port, which experienced significant disruptions last year. The DA source stressed that mere promises of concessions are insufficient; they demand concrete timelines and dates for the completion of projects.
The source concluded, "If there is no movement on the economic front, what is the point of the GNU?"
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