The African National Congress (ANC) has said it expects the Democratic Alliance (DA) to explain how it plans to stay in the Government of National Unity (GNU) after voting against the national budget.
ANC clears the air around its struggles with the DA
According to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, the DA’s actions show a lack of commitment to the GNU.
Speaking at a press briefing, Mbalula said the DA could not expect to remain part of the government if it no longer supported key policies like the national budget.
“If you are part of a government and you don’t agree with the budget, how do you continue to sit there?” he said.
He also made it clear that the ANC is not being pushed around by the DA. He dismissed claims that the ANC is planning to fire DA ministers or force them out.
“We are loyal to the GNU, not to the DA,” Mbalula said.
The tension between the two parties started when the DA voted against the revised fiscal framework last week. That vote was a key part of the budget process.
The DA also said it would go to court, claiming the budget was passed unfairly and included decisions made without proper process. Their biggest concern is the 0.5% increase in VAT, which makes everyday goods more expensive for the public.
Mbalula said the ANC will talk to all parties, including those outside the GNU, to ensure the rest of the budget process goes through.
“We are going to talk to everybody, including the DA, because we need to pass the budget,” he said.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile echoed this, saying the DA must vote for the rest of the budget bills — including the Division of Revenue and Appropriation Bills — if it wants to stay in the coalition.
“We will work with those who go all the way with us,” he said.
What happens if the DA exits the GNU
If the DA chooses to leave the GNU, the coalition will not automatically fall apart. Mbalula said the GNU is made up of 10 parties, and the ANC can continue to govern with the remaining partners if the DA exits.
The GNU was created after the 2024 national election, when no party won a majority.
Ten parties agreed to work together, including the ANC, DA, IFP, Patriotic Alliance, GOOD, Rise Mzansi and others. They signed a formal agreement — called the Statement of Intent — that listed shared values and priorities like job creation, better services, safety, and reducing poverty.
If a party wants to leave the GNU, it must formally submit a notice — or “file divorce papers,” as Mbalula put it.
If the DA leaves, decisions within the GNU can still move forward as long as parties holding at least 60% of parliamentary seats agree — a rule known as “sufficient consensus.”
This means the ANC, along with other parties, can still form a majority and pass laws if enough of them agree.
The GNU will continue without the DA, as long as it meets the basic rules for consensus and collaboration.
Mbalula also made it clear that President Cyril Ramaphosa has the power to remove ministers if they don’t follow the rules.
However, he said this has not happened and that the ANC is focused on stability and getting the budget passed before the legal deadline of 1 May 2025.
Meanwhile, the DA says it still wants to stay in government, but only if the ANC agrees to real power-sharing.
It believes the ANC is not respecting this idea.
The DA has put forward its own plans to fix the economy and said it wants a clear deal on how decisions will be made.
Whether the DA stays or leaves, the ANC has confirmed it will continue with the GNU and do what it takes to keep the country running. Mbalula said, “South Africa must work — that’s the ANC’s job.”
