The fate of the Government of National Unity (GNU) is being scrutinised amid tension between the main coalition partners with the DA threatening the ANC that it will leave the coalition over the ousting of Cilliers Brink as City of Tshwane mayor.
DA federal chairperson Helen Zille accused the ANC of placing the GNU’s future in jeopardy by instituting a motion to remove the DA-led coalition in the country’s capital.
ANC deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane, speaking on the sidelines of a meeting with the Communist Party of Vietnam, responded saying Zille should vent her frustration with the coalition through the correct channels.
“So, there has to be consistency because we are not cry babies when a decision is taken against us or people opt to collaborate, we don’t have an issue.
And that’s where we need to help Zille, because I do not even believe that is a position of the DA.”
The SACP, said it was not surprised by the emerging tension, describing the GNU as a grand coalition between the ANC and the DA.
“This central feature of the ‘government of national unity’ has also become clearer with new developments, besides the core tenets of the elite pact. Included in the developments is the boycott by the Minister of Basic Education (Siviwe Gwarube), who is from the DA, of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent signing of the Education Laws Amendment Bill into law and the President’s public inaction against the reckless insubordination.”
A senior ANC member in KwaZulu-Natal said the general view of party members was that they were not in favour of the GNU.
“The rank and file of the party, from the bottom to the top, believe the DA has embarked on a hostile takeover of the coalition.
“There were some National Executive Committee members who did not want this coalition to take place, there were engagements post elections, but in the end it was too late and the GNU was formed despite their objections.”
The source said the animosity towards the coalition stems from the key positions that have been given to DA ministers.
“Strategic positions, like Home Affairs, should not have been given to the DA.”
A senior DA member said there were concerns that the changes being seen in the national government were not trickling down to municipalities where the core service delivery issues were being managed.
“Leaders from both parties will have to find one another for service delivery to become a reality for citizens.”
The source said that while the GNU had provided hope at a national level, this was not translating to service delivery at the level of local government.
“We have seen ministers active at the national level and there is an expectation by those living in municipalities that the same impetus will take place,” the source said.
The GNU reached its 100-day milestone on Monday, with analysts saying it’s too early to tell if its impact will provide stability in the country.
Economist Dawie Roodt said the rand strengthened after the formation of the GNU and this filtered through to lower fuel prices, which also contributed to lower inflation. Roodt said there is a positive improvement in sentiment and business confidence, both domestically and internationally, but this would not necessarily provide economic growth.
Political analyst Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast said 100 days of a coalition was not enough to foresee how stable it would be in the future.
“Some people did not see it coming that there would be stability, but we have seen the market forces finding comfort in the GNU hands.
“There has been a lot of positive response from business but the only way we can identify meaningful economic indicators is when there is a reduction of inequality, poverty and unemployment.”
Professor Sipho Seepe said Ramaphosa had used a media strategy of turning a political failure into a positive outcome.
“The voters wanted an ANC that could deliver the services that they need but we now have a GNU which is re-crafting and refashioning the failure of the ANC at the polls to make it appear that this is something positive.
“What we have seen is that the opposition party ministers have come to the party while ANC ministers have been absent from the game because people are interested in the real issues in terms of dealing with potholes, in terms of dealing with unemployment.”
MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela described the GNU as a “disaster and a grand coalition” which was aimed at boosting certain individuals’ personal gain and agenda.
The Mercury