Political tensions rise as Helen Zille defends DA's stance in GNU
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Executive Chairperson Helen Zille has defended her party's decision not to leave the Government of National Unity (GNU) despite growing tensions with the African National Congress (ANC), accusing the governing party of treating its coalition partner with 'disrespect' and 'double standards'.
In an interview with 702, Zille said the DA's decision to withdraw from the National Dialogue and to vote against budget allocations for departments headed by "compromised ministers" is a "commensurate" and serious response to what she described as unilateral decisions by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
'The President showed hypocrisy, double standards and a lack of respect for his coalition partner by unilaterally firing a deputy minister. And we've got to say we won't be treated like that,' she said.
Zille criticised the dismissal of DA's former deputy minister Andrew Whitfield over an unauthorised US trip, defending the visit as a private, party-funded mission to engage US officials on trade relations and AGOA.
She argued that Whitfield had written to the President, and despite not needing formal permission under the ministerial handbook for non-official trips, received no reply.
'Surely the president can say, no, you can't go, but he never responded. Till today, he's got no answer to that letter except being fired,' Zille said.
She accused the ANC of ignoring the coalition's Statement of Intent, saying the President had violated clauses that require consensus for major government decisions, such as the National Dialogue initiative.
'They simply go and announce what it is with some kind of imminent persons group, to which we've never agreed. So they continue governing as if they are the only party in government.
''And everybody else must behave and fall in line. They did not get an overall majority. We are their biggest coalition partner,'' she said.
Zille rejected suggestions that the DA is backing down on its red lines, saying the party is prioritising national stability over political theatrics.
'We're not going to lie there like a sacrificial lamb taking a bullet. We're going to fight back,' she said. 'We won't do the ANC any favours to turn around and look at a decimated economy, and give the president the pleasure of saying, this was the DA's fault.'
She rejected the idea that the DA is posturing without follow-through, noting that they had indeed drawn a line by withdrawing from the National Dialogue.
'We made threats of withdrawing from the National Dialogue, and we did. We absolutely did. And now you can have a completely useless National Dialogue because, without us, without nearly 25% of the country, many other people are going to boycott it as well.
''They will have a completely useless National Dialogue. It will be a meaningless, hollow gesture,'' said Zille.
Zille said the DA would continue to oppose budget votes for ministers like Thembi Simelane, and Nobuhle Nkabane, whom she accused of misconduct and lying to Parliament.
''Nkabane lied to Parliament. That's probably the gravest thing you can do in a democracy,' she said. So that is why we're voting against her .
''And then Simelane, we know exactly what she did. She's now in human settlement. She used to be in justice, can you believe it or not? And she is found linked to the VBS looting. So they've done terrible things. And we are going to vote against them to show our displeasure.''
Despite repeated disagreements with the ANC, Zille said walking away from the GNU would cause national instability, job losses, and economic collapse.
''Let's make no mistake about it. If we walk out of the GNU, the Rand will fall massively in value. There will be more unemployed people. The consequences will be catastrophic for the country.'
''We're going to walk away when the president fires us. We're not going to do him any favours or the ANC any favours to turn around and to look at a decimated economy, and give the president the pleasure of saying, this was the DA's fault.'
Zille confirmed the DA has not yet resolved to table a motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa but warned that such decisions would be guided by future developments and the broader consequences for the country.
'We will take that decision on the basis of understanding what the consequences will be for the country.''
Zille said the ANC must learn to work collaboratively in government, adding, 'They did not get an overall majority.'
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