Zille says the ANC is acting arrogantly
CAPE TOWN - Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Chairperson Helen Zille has dismissed criticism that the party is playing a game of chicken with the African National Congress (ANC) and is not serious about ever leaving the governing coalition.
Speaking on 702 on Monday, Zille said her party is mindful of the consequences such a move would have on ordinary South Africans.
Over the weekend the DA announced it would withdraw from the National Dialogue, which Zille claims would be 'useless' without the participation of her party and its supporters.
The latest round of tensions has been sparked by President Cyril Ramaphosa firing DA MP Andrew Whitfield, as deputy minister for going on a DA trip without his permission.
Zille said that the ANC is ignoring the statement of intent signed between coalition parties at every turn, undermining her party, failing to consult on matters - and not being called out for it.
"For as long as they act arrogantly as if they are the only people running this government, then we will take a decision at every point, what the appropriate action is."
But she said that her party has to be commensurate in its response to the problematic issues - and the impact on the economic well being of the country, should the DA opt out of the Government of National Unity (GNU).
"So we have to decide, at what point is the ANC's behaviour is so egregious that we think it's worth taking the step that will have those consequences."
Zille also accused the ANC of failing to consult on the structure of the National Dialogue and of unilaterally naming an eminent persons' panel without its knowledge.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on June 30, 2025
EFF president Julius Malema has again called on the DA to leave the Government of National Unity (GNU), effectively making way for his party to join the government. Good evening, IOL News family! It's Monday, June 30, 2025, and it's time for a wrap of the biggest headlines making waves in South Africa and beyond. Don't forget to join the IOL WhatsApp Channel to stay in tune, informed, and in the know Malema calls for DA to leave the GNU, paving the way for EFF's entry EFF president Julius Malema has again called on the DA to leave the Government of National Unity (GNU), effectively making way for his party to join the government. To read on, click here. Former Transnet executives granted R50,000 bail over Gupta-linked corruption charges Four former Transnet executives, Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, Anoj Singh, and Thamsanqa Jiyane, have been granted R50,000 bail each following alleged corruption linked to the Guptas. To read on, click here. DA to lay criminal charges against Nkabane for lying to Parliament The Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced plans to lay criminal charges against Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane for allegedly lying to Parliament. To read on, click here. MTN South Africa faces backlash over misleading 'free' router advertising MTN South Africa has been ordered to either remove or amend its 'free-to-use' router advertising, after it has emerged that it is not actually free, the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) ruled. To read on, click here. Another tragic shack fire in Ekurhuleni claims lives of two people, including a toddler Two people, including a two-year-old baby, have perished in Ekurhuleni, after an inferno engulfed their home in Snake Park, Nigel. To read on, click here. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Helen Zille warns Cyril Ramaphosa as things turn nasty
Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Chair Helen Zille has issued a warning to President Cyril Ramaphosa, confirming that the party's recent threat to table a motion of no confidence is serious and could materialise if key issues remain unresolved. The comments come amid growing friction within the Government of National Unity (GNU) and heightened discontent over the ANC's handling of corruption, which the DA claims undermines Cyril Ramaphosa's leadership and credibility. Zille outlined what she called a 'three strikes' framework, stating that the president has now committed a second major offence by failing to act decisively against corruption within the ANC's ranks. 'We won't leave on a whim,' Zille said over the weekend. 'However, President Ramaphosa must not test us.' The DA has stopped short of leaving the GNU, but the motion of no confidence remains a clear and present option, Helen Zille confirmed. The tension was further inflamed by the removal of DA Eastern Cape leader Andrew Whitfield from his post as deputy minister, which Zille described as retaliation for his anti-corruption stance and opposition to harmful economic policies under the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. 'This is a flagrant distortion,' Zille said, referring to Whitfield's dismissal, which she claims highlights the ANC's lack of commitment to clean governance. While some within both the DA and ANC are calling for an end to the GNU arrangement, the DA's top brass have rejected any abrupt exits. Helen Zille underscored the DA's commitment to principled governance, warning that remaining in a coalition with a president who appears aligned with the ANC's corrupt Radical Economic Transformation (RET) faction is untenable. 'If the president shows that he's indistinguishable from the corrupt RET faction in his party, there's no point in being in a coalition with him at all,' Zille was quoted as saying. Although the DA's federal executive has opted not to pursue a no-confidence vote immediately, Zille made it clear that the party is prepared to act if Cyril Ramaphosa fails to course-correct. The situation places additional pressure on Cyril Ramaphosa as he tries to maintain cohesion within a fragile coalition structure, all while fending off rising dissent from within his own ranks and coalition partners. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
eNCA
2 hours ago
- eNCA
GNU tensions boiling over
JOHANNESBURG - The Government of National Unity is on shaky ground. The DA has withdrawn from the National Dialogue and vowed to vote against budgets for corruption-accused ANC Ministers. WATCH: Discussion | Political expert unpacks the future of the GNU This comes after President Ramaphosa removed DA Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield, citing an unauthorised trip. The DA says the move was political and now threatens a motion of no confidence against the president, if things don't change.
