ANC opens GNU exit door, DA calls for power share
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has reiterated that the party has not made any decisions on the future of the Government of National Unity (GNU) — but has made it clear the DA is free to leave if it chooses to.
Mbalula briefed the media at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Tuesday, following the African National Congress (ANC) National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held on Monday.
He said tensions within the GNU were being fuelled by the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) behaviour.
This follows the DA and Freedom Front Plus rejecting the 2025 fiscal framework due to a proposed 0.5% VAT increase.
The DA has also taken the matter to the Western Cape High Court, claiming Parliament’s approval process last week was procedurally flawed.
Mbalula accused the DA of negotiating in bad faith and acting as an opposition party while seated in government.
"The GNU, by design, is complex. It requires high levels of political maturity and revolutionary discipline," he said.
"We understood that it was never going to be an easy journey, considering it is made up of role-players diametrically opposed to us ideologically, but we expect discipline despite all this."
He added: "We are now deeply concerned by the conduct of the Democratic Alliance, whose participation in the GNU has been marred by double-dealing, negotiating and acting in bad faith, and open disdain for transformation.
"While the GNU Cabinet adopted three strategic priorities aligned with the ANC’s Manifesto and endorsed the Medium-Term Development Plan, the DA has acted as an opposition force, opposing the BELA Bill, the NHI, and the Land Expropriation Amendment.
"It seeks to divide the government, confuse the public, and claim credit without assuming responsibility. This dishonesty undermines the very essence of collective governance."
Despite the cracks in the coalition, the ANC said it remained committed to the GNU as a “tactical element”, but insists its integrity cannot be compromised.
The party has reopened negotiations with partners both inside and outside the GNU to find consensus on the budget impasse.
"In light of current developments, the NWC resolved that we will reset the button and engage with all political parties in the GNU,” Mbalula said.
The secretary general outlined his party’s continued support for a developmental fiscal approach.
"We will continue to drive consensus on key pillars: equitable and redistributive tax policy, progressive management of debt and deficit levels, rationalisation of expenditure away from elite consumption toward social investment, and institutional redesign for a capable, ethical, and activist state.”
READ: DA ready for power-sharing talks with ANC
Mbalula said the ANC would also consult with civil society stakeholders, including religious leaders via the South African Council of Churches, and it hoped to reach consensus within five days.
"As the largest party in government, we thank all political parties who have worked with us to pass the fiscal framework, both within and outside the GNU,” he said.
"We remain principled and loyal to the engagements we’ve had and the issues ventilated in those discussions.”
The negotiating team has been given a broad mandate and two weeks to report back to national officials and the NEC.
"Our mission is clear: to build a democratic, non-racial, non-sexist, united and prosperous South Africa. The struggle continues and the people’s movement will not retreat,” Mbalula added.
