Johannesburg – The government of national unity (GNU) is facing its first major test as tensions rise between coalition partners over the recently adopted fiscal framework and VAT increase. While the ANC grapples with internal debates on the future of the GNU, other parties within the coalition have voiced strong criticism of the DA and FF Plus for voting against the Budget, questioning their commitment to the spirit of cooperation and compromise.
The DA and FF Plus broke ranks with their GNU partners last week when they voted against the fiscal framework and the proposed 0.5 percentage point increase in VAT. This move has triggered significant ructions within the multi-party pact, with the DA even resorting to legal action to challenge the VAT hike. The party has also accused the ANC of negotiating in bad faith by seeking support from parties outside the GNU to ensure the Budget's passage.
The fiscal framework and revenue proposals were ultimately adopted by the National Assembly after ActionSA and BOSA voted in favour of the measures. This outcome has sparked a debate within the ANC and the broader GNU about the concept of "rewarding" parties that supported the Budget.
The ANC's national working committee convened for an extended meeting on Monday afternoon to discuss the Budget and the future trajectory of the GNU, signaling the seriousness of the divisions within the coalition.
Speaking to News24, leaders from the PAC, GOOD party, and UDM did not hold back in their assessment of the DA and FF Plus' actions, expressing disappointment and questioning their motives.
UDM president Bantu Holomisa minced no words, stating that his party would not entertain "politics of blackmail." He added: "If the ANC wants to nurse them, fine, but … politics of blackmail, I don't entertain them. These are the same people who went to the USA to badmouth us. I don't have any sympathy for them. Also, the parties who helped us have to be rewarded." Holomisa's remarks highlight the deep-seated resentment felt by some within the GNU towards the DA, particularly regarding their past criticisms of the ANC and their perceived attempts to undermine the coalition.
GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron echoed Holomisa's sentiments, expressing reservations about the DA and FF Plus' continued participation in the GNU given their opposition to the Budget. "Ultimately, I think it's on those parties to reconcile remaining in the GNU with a Budget that is likely to be passed, which they did not support," Herron said.
He further accused the DA of hypocrisy, pointing out that while they continue to hold ministerial positions and benefit from the Budget, they actively voted against it. "There's an element of hypocrisy there, where you keep drawing a line in the sand. They've criticised the ANC and the GNU's other partners for seeking support for the Budget outside of the GNU coalition, and so, currently [they continue] as if it's business as usual. So, they didn't vote for the Budget, but there are ministers from the DA who are continuing to form the functions of ministers in departments using the Budget," Herron added.
Herron also referenced documents circulating on social media, alleging that the DA had attempted to "weaponise" the VAT hike to extract concessions outside of the fiscal framework and economic growth strategy. "They sort of used the poor as a Trojan horse for making demands outside of the fiscal framework and outside of the economic growth strategy," Herron said, suggesting that the DA's opposition to the VAT increase was driven by political opportunism rather than genuine concern for the poor.
PAC leader Mzwanele Nyhontso added his voice to the chorus of disapproval, stating that he was "disappointed by the DA's conduct, particularly when they had an issue with the Budget. They used poor people and said they were saving poor people." Nyhontso questioned the DA's commitment to fighting for the interests of the poor, adding, "I don't think the DA has it in them to fight for poor people; I was also disappointed that they reduced the Budget to the VAT hike. The VAT is part of the Budget. However, there are a lot of other positives in the Budget."
Nyhontso further criticised the DA for using the Budget process to engage in political maneuvering, suggesting that their actions were aimed at hindering the GNU's ability to address transformation. "The DA [sought to use] the Budget to stop the GNU from addressing transformation," Nyhontso said. However, he emphasized that the decision to keep the DA in the GNU ultimately rests with the ANC and the need to prioritize the interests of the people over narrow party agendas. "Be that as it may, the decision to keep the DA in the GNU or remove them lies with the two biggest parties, and the people must come first and not narrow party interests," Nyhontso said.
While the DA faces criticism from its GNU partners, the FF Plus is also under scrutiny, with its continued participation in the coalition hinging on whether it can effectively advance the interests of Afrikaners and other minorities.
FF Plus leader Dr Corne Mulder issued a statement affirming the party's commitment to furthering the interests of its constituency within the GNU. He emphasized that the FF Plus is not bound by the decisions or actions of other political parties regarding their continued participation or withdrawal from the coalition.
Mulder said the matter was debated at the FF Plus' executive management committee on Thursday and has now been referred to the party's federal management committee for further discussions. "The party will not let the decisions or actions of another party affect its own decision-making," Mulder stated.
He further clarified that the FF Plus did not join the GNU "to gain some title or position," but rather to contribute to a form of joint governance that addresses South Africa's challenges. "Its continued participation in the GNU is based solely on the question of whether several political developments warranted an appropriate form of joint governance in South Africa," he added.
Mulder questioned whether the ANC's gesture of reaching out to parties was intended to establish a genuine joint and accommodating new government to tackle South Africa's challenges with fresh and better plans or whether it was "simply to co-opt the leadership of other political parties and then continue in the same vein as the past 31 years."
He argued that the ANC's actions since the establishment of the GNU suggest a mere attempt at co-opting leadership rather than a genuine commitment to a fresh start. "All the ANC's actions since the establishment of the GNU after the 2024 elections indicate that we are dealing with an attempt at co-opting leadership rather than a fresh new beginning," Mulder said.
Mulder cited several pieces of legislation, including the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, Expropriation Act, and National Health Insurance Act, as well as foreign policy decisions, the country's genocide case in the International Court of Justice, responses to the US, and the fiscal framework and Budget, as evidence of a perpetuation of "trite and failed ANC ideological thinking and policy."
"Nothing from their side demonstrates a commitment to being part of a constructive new beginning with the aim of resolving South Africa's economic crisis of virtually no growth, enormous unemployment, decline and stagnation," Mulder said.
He warned that if the GNU proceeds in this manner, its chances of success are "extremely slim." "In light of the recent foreign and domestic political changes, the need for an appropriate form of joint governance in South Africa is greater than ever, but then the current mindset needs a reset," Mulder said.
The FF Plus leader concluded by stating that his party wants to be part of a GNU where the country's problems are effectively addressed, and the ideals and needs of Afrikaners and other minorities in South Africa are met. A meeting of the FF Plus federal management committee is scheduled to convene on Tuesday to further discuss the party's position within the GNU.
