Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has announced the party’s immediate withdrawal from the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) National Dialogue, citing a breakdown in trust and accusing President Cyril Ramaphosa of shielding corruption-accused ANC Ministers.
Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday afternoon, Steenhuisen criticised the President for allegedly breaching the GNU’s founding Statement of Intent and for what he called a pattern of “arrogance, disrespect and double standards” by the African National Congress (ANC) in its handling of coalition politics.
“Until [President Ramaphosa] replaces words with action against corruption within his own ranks, the DA sees no further point in wasting our breath in endless talk shops with the ANC,” said Steenhuisen.
“Effective immediately, the DA will have no further part in this process.”
The DA joined the GNU following the 2024 general elections, in which the ANC lost its outright majority for the first time since 1994. The coalition, seen by many as a historic opportunity to usher in a new era of multiparty governance, has since shown signs of strain.
According to Steenhuisen, the President unilaterally appointed a “bloated” executive and pushed through controversial legislation without consulting GNU partners. He further accused Ramaphosa of sidelining the DA in key decisions and failing to act on corruption allegations against senior ANC figures.
Most recently, the dismissal of DA Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield, reportedly over a travel permission issue—sparked outrage within the party.
“The flagrant double standard that protects the likes of [Thembi] Simelane and [Nobuhle] Nkabane but acts against Whitfield proves that in the ANC’s universe, the only things you dare not be are competent, honest, and hard-working,” Steenhuisen said.
In a dramatic turn, Steenhuisen said the DA will now vote against departmental budget allocations for ministries led by corruption-accused ANC officials, including Simelane and Nkabane. He emphasised, however, that the DA would not sabotage the overall GNU budget to maintain national stability.
“We will strike the appropriate balance by allowing the broader GNU budget process to proceed, while forcing the ANC to act against specific Ministers,” he said.
In addition, the party is calling on civil society to reject the National Dialogue, which it labelled a “R740 million taxpayer-funded electioneering ploy.”
While stopping short of announcing it, Steenhuisen confirmed that the DA had considered tabling a Motion of No Confidence in the President.
“The President only has this prerogative because of his partners in the GNU. Without the DA’s numbers in Parliament, Ramaphosa has no such prerogative,” he said.
“If the ANC fails to course-correct, the DA will seriously consider exercising our constitutional prerogative.”
Steenhuisen ended his address by reiterating that the DA’s participation in the GNU was grounded in a commitment to reform, economic growth, and accountability.
“If the ANC wants to kick the DA out for fighting corruption, so be it,” he said.
“But as long as ANC Members of the Executive implicated in corruption… remain around the Cabinet table, the DA will not support their departmental budgets in Parliament, and will not participate in the National Dialogue.”
The announcement marks a major escalation in tensions within the fragile GNU coalition, raising questions about the future of collaborative governance in South Africa.
