The Democratic Alliance DA should not have joined the government of national unity GNU if it was anti-corruption and pro-poor, Economic Freedom Fighters EFF leader Julius Malema says.
Instead, it should have allowed the ANC to govern as a minority party.
Malema was reacting to the DAs withdrawal from the National Dialogue on Saturday 28 June. It also decided not to support departmental budget votes for some ANC ministers it accuses of corruption and wrongdoing.
The DA announced these actions in response to President Cyril Ramaphosas dismissal of Andrew Whitfield as a deputy minister last week. Ramaphosa fired Whitfield for travelling abroad without his permission.
Malema reacts to DAs threatsThey DA have no reason to complain. They went into a marriage knowing very well that they were going with an ANC corrupt government, Malema told reporters in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, on Saturday.
These are unnecessary threats. If the DA was anti-corruption, pro-poor and to ensure they restore the dignity of our people, they should have allowed the ANC to govern as a minority party. There was nothing forcing them to go into government.
You cannot oppose a government you are part of. They are in government. Whatever decision Ramaphosa takes, they are part of it because they decided to be part of this mess. So, if they dont want this mess, they must stay outside and allow the ANC to do a minority government.
He cited the Gauteng provincial government, which the ANC constituted as a minority along with three smaller parties.
The DA has often stated that it is in the GNU to stop a doomsday coalition of the ANC, uMkhonto weSizwe MK Party and EFF.
DA leader John Steenhuisen alluded to this during a media briefing on Saturday. He said the DA Federal Executive had considered tabling a motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa, but understood the concerns that many South Africans have about what will follow once Ramaphosa is removed from office.