Axing of Andrew Whitfield causes renewed friction in GNU
CAPE TOWN - Just as the dust appeared to be settling after a budget impasse that threatened the stability of the Government of National Unity (GNU), the axing of Democratic Alliance (DA) member, Andrew Whitfield, as deputy minister on Thursday has now caused renewed friction.
The party said if President Cyril Ramaphosa is to fire Whitfield for unsanctioned international travel, then he must also axe ministers accused of corruption.
DA leader John Steenhuisen gave the President 48 hours to remove compromised ministers from his executive, starting with Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane and Deputy Water and Sanitation Minister David Mahlobo.
However, the Presidency made it clear on Friday that it would not comply with ultimatums and that the President had both justifiable reason and precedent from former administrations to fire Whitfield.
While Steenhuisen said the DA would not be petty and withhold its vote on the Division of Revenue Bill over the latest impasse, he warned that consequences would follow.
"This is now a moment of truth, within the next 48 hours, we will find out if the DA stands alone as the only party that can be trusted to govern responsibly and take South Africa forward."
The Presidency said on Friday that Steenhuisen's response had been intemperate and that Whitfield had acknowledged breaking the rules in a letter following his return from the United States (US).
Meanwhile, on Saturday afternoon, the DA's top leadership said it would outline the impact of this move on its future within the GNU.
ALSO READ:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Political tensions rise as Mbalula defends ANC's position in coalition government
ANC secretary general has slammed the DA saying they can leave the GNU if they wanted to. Image: Facebook/MyANC ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has challenged the Democratic Alliance (DA) to withdraw from the Government of National Unity (GNU) following the party's threats to boycott the upcoming National Dialogue. This confrontation comes in the wake of President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent dismissal of former deputy minister Andrew Whitfield, who allegedly undertook an unauthorised trip to the United States. DA leader John Steenhuisen, addressing the media on Saturday slammed Ramaphosa's decision, claiming it was indicative of President Ramaphosa's inconsistent approach to governance while also "threatening to destabilise the GNU unless all so-called delinquent ministers are removed from their positions within 48 hours. However Mbalula who was speaking during the 3rd day of the OR Tambo Regional Conference in the Eastern Cape on Sunday stated that the GNU is not a permanent feature but a temporary partnership among all the coalition parties. Mbalula stated that the ANC and its President will not be bullied and disrespected by the DA and its leaders who continuously threaten to destabilise the GNU. "When the Government of National Unity was formed with the ten political parties, it was not a permanent feature. So, we will not allow for our President to be disrespected by his deputy ministers. "Even Nelson Mandela fired his own wife. My mother Winnie Nomzamo Madikizela Mandela. Mandela took him out of the cabinet. Thabo Mbeki as president also did the same when he fired Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge. We can't then be disrespected by a small boy who is being protected by the DA. We are not in a marriage with the DA but we are in a coalition," he said. Mbalula who addressed delegates to one of the party's biggest regions in the Eastern Cape, the OR Tambo Region- which is one of the most influential ANC regions in the country said that those who had accused the ANC of selling out when it partnered with the DA in the GNU would soon realise that the ANC has an upper hand in the coalition. "They must know one thing. We are not at the mercy of the DA. We are in this coalition because we respected the outcomes of the elections and the interests of the people of South Africa. That is why we have characterised this as a strategic setback. "It is not a permanent feature. The GNU is not a melting pot. We did say that there are ten political parties in the GNU and the DA did not want this. Now, I see why they did not want this as they wanted to squeeze us and put us in a corner, but we turned the tables around and we put them in our own trap. Now they are in a deeper trap," he added.
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
DA clashes with Ramaphosa over dismissal but stays in coalition — for now
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has decided to remain part of South Africa's government of national unity despite rising tensions with President Cyril Ramaphosa over the recent dismissal of one of its deputy ministers. On Saturday, DA leader John Steenhuisen expressed frustration with Ramaphosa's decision to fire Andrew Whitfield, the deputy minister of trade, industry and competition, who travelled to the United States without the president's permission. While the party has chosen not to walk away from the unity government or call for a no-confidence vote at this stage, it has made clear its growing dissatisfaction. Speaking at a media briefing, Steenhuisen accused Ramaphosa of double standards. He noted that in 2020, the president gave only a reprimand and salary deduction to then-minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who used a state plane to fly an ANC delegation to Zimbabwe. 'This inconsistency shows a lack of fairness,' Steenhuisen said. Following Whitfield's removal, the DA gave Ramaphosa 48 hours to fire ministers Thembi Simelane, Nobuhle Nkabane, and deputy minister David Mahlobo over corruption allegations. The president declined, stating that he acted within his constitutional rights and would not respond to threats. Although the ultimatum was ignored, the DA confirmed it would not withdraw from the government of national unity, warning that doing so could lead to a more unstable coalition that might include the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) or uMkhonto weSizwe (MK). 'Leaving would open the door to chaos,' Steenhuisen said. 'We entered this government to put South Africa first, and we still believe our presence is critical to prevent a coalition of destruction.' Still, the DA pulled out of a planned national dialogue scheduled for August, calling it a political stunt with no real authority. The dialogue was meant to address key issues such as corruption, unemployment and gender-based violence. Steenhuisen criticised the initiative as a wasteful exercise and accused the ANC of using it to distract from its failures. 'It's an election campaign disguised as a national consultation,' he said. He also warned that the DA's patience was wearing thin. 'We will not be kicked around. If the ANC wants to remove us for standing against corruption, then so be it,' he said. While no immediate motion of no confidence will be brought against Ramaphosa, Steenhuisen confirmed that the option remains open. The DA also plans to vote against upcoming budgets for departments led by ministers under suspicion of wrongdoing. Steenhuisen vowed to push for their removal and pledged to fight the continued misuse of public funds, including the more than R700 million allocated to the national dialogue. As for Whitfield's trip to the US, Steenhuisen defended his colleague, saying it was a party-related visit funded by the DA, not the state. The DA will nominate a new deputy minister to replace Whitfield in line with the coalition agreement.'We are here to serve South Africa, but that means mutual respect and a real commitment to fighting corruption,' Steenhuisen said.
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Fikile Mbalula challenges DA to withdraw from Government of National Unity
ANC secretary general has slammed the DA saying they can leave the GNU if they wanted to. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has challenged the DA to withdraw from the Government of National Unity (GNU) following the party's recent threats to boycott the upcoming National Dialogue. This confrontation between the two parties follows hot on the heels of President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent axing of former deputy minister Andrew Whitfield, who allegedly undertook an unauthorised trip to the United States. DA leader John Steenhuisen, addressing the media on Saturday slammed Ramaphosa's decision, claiming it was indicative of President Ramaphosa's inconsistent approach to governance while also "threatening to destabilise the GNU unless all so-called delinquent ministers are removed from their positions within 48 hours. However Mbalula who was speaking during the 3rd day of the OR Tambo Regional Conference in the Eastern Cape on Sunday stated that the GNU is not a permanent feature but a temporary partnership among all the coalition parties. Mbalula stated that the ANC and its President will not be bullied and disrespected by the DA and its leaders who continuously threaten to destabilse the GNU. "When the Government of National Unity was formed with the ten political parties, it was not a permanent feature. So, we will not allow for our President to be disrespected by his deputy ministers. "Even Nelson Mandela fired his own wife. My mother Winnie Nomzamo Madikizela Mandela. Mandela took him out of the cabinet. Thabo Mbeki as president also did the same when he fired Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge. We can't then be disrespected by a small boy who is being protected by the DA. We are not in a marriage with the DA but we are in a coalition," he said. Mbalula who addressed delegates to one of the party's biggest regions in the Eastern Cape, the OR Tambo Region- which is one of the most influential ANC regions in the country said that those who had accused the ANC of selling out when it partnered with the DA in the GNU would soon realise that the ANC has an upper hand in the coalition. "They must know one thing. We are not at the mercy of the DA. We are in this coalition because we respected the outcomes of the elections and the interests of the people of South Africa. That is why we have characterised this as a strategic setback. "It is not a permanent feature. The GNU is not a melting pot. We did say that there are ten political parties in the GNU and the DA did not want this. Now, I see why they did not want this as they wanted to squeeze us and put us in a corner, but we turned the tables around and we put them in our own trap. Now they arein a deeper trap," he added.
