The African National Congress ANC has urged the Democratic Alliance DA to clarify its stance in the government of national unity GNU.
This after the DA announced that it would withdraw from the upcoming National Dialogue in response to President Cyril Ramaphosa s decision to dismiss Andrew Whitfield as a deputy minister.
DA leader John Steenhuisen also announced on Saturday 28 June that the party would not vote for departmental budget votes of ANC ministers it accuses of wrongdoing and corruption.
If the ANC wants our support for those departmental budgets, they must replace the incumbent Ministers with alternatives that meet the very standard the President has set for himself through Whitfield's axing, Steenhuisen said at a media briefing .
He specifically cited Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane for alleged involvement in the VBS scandal and Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane for allegedly lying to Parliament.
ANC responds to DAIn a statement shared on Facebook on Sunday, the ANC criticised the DA for withdrawing from the National Dialogue not because they oppose its principles, but because a DA deputy minister was dismissed.
This response speaks volumes about the DAs character. They are willing to undermine national interests in pursuit of their narrow partisan agenda, it added.
The DAs decision not to support key departmental budget votes is not only disruptive but undermines the very spirit and functioning of the GNU, to which the DA has committed itself, the ANC said.
These ministries are critical for improving the lives of South Africans, particularly the poor and working class, it added.
At this juncture, it is imperative for the DA to clarify its stance: is it a genuine and principled partner in the GNU, or is it positioning itself as a quasi-opposition within the Executive? South Africans deserve clarity and leadership guided by national interest, not short-term political expediency.