Johannesburg, Jan 25 — South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA) has declared a dispute with the Government of National Unity (GNU), accusing it of excluding coalition partners on key legislative matters, including bills on health reforms and land expropriation.
The DA, South Africa’s second-largest party after the African National Congress (ANC), called for a reset in coalition relations, warning against unilateral decision-making by the ruling party. Despite the tensions, the DA said it has no intention of leaving the unity government.
“We have declared a dispute, and it is now up to the coalition leaders to determine the way forward,” DA leader John Steenhuisen said at a press briefing. He accused President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC of treating coalition partners as passive participants. “The president needs to recognize that his party is now just another minority within the GNU. The DA will not stand by as mere spectators,” Steenhuisen said.
The ANC, which formed a unity government after failing to secure a parliamentary majority last year, responded to the criticism. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the party was committed to South Africa’s transformation agenda but was open to dialogue with the DA.
“The ANC will not waver in its efforts to transform South Africa. However, we are willing to engage with coalition partners, including the DA, on these critical issues,” Mbalula said during the briefing.
The dispute centers on the National Health Insurance (NHI) bill, which aims to overhaul South Africa’s healthcare system to provide universal coverage, and a recently signed land expropriation bill that allows the state to seize land in the public interest. The DA claims the legislation is unconstitutional and has formally raised objections with the president.
Steenhuisen said the DA had written to Ramaphosa to express its concerns. Mbalula countered that the DA was informed of the bill before its enactment and noted that legal options remain available.
“If the signing of this act is deemed unlawful, the courts provide the appropriate platform for redress,” Mbalula said. “It is unnecessary to drag the GNU into this particular matter.”
