One year ago, South Africa chose a new path. The outcome of the 2024 national election ended thirty years of one-party domination and opened the door to a new political era, one where parties would have to work together to get things done. The Democratic Alliance entered the Government of National Unity (GNU) in good faith, determined to place the people of South Africa at the centre of everything we do.
However, it has become increasingly clear that while the DA has stayed focused, the ANC has not honoured the spirit of partnership that the GNU was founded on as captured in the Statement of intent. The President’s removal of DA Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield was a further incident in a pattern of disregard for meaningful consultation with the DA in the GNU. While ANC Ministers implicated in serious misconduct remain protected, it is the competent, honest, and hard working who are punished.
We will not stand by while corruption is swept under the rug. That is why on Saturday 28 June, I announced two measures.
First, a withdrawal from the National Dialogue, a process that was intended to consult with South Africans all over the country, to listen and respond. It was intended to shape a shared future. However, it has been shown up as a hollow, costly, and dishonest exercise. South Africa already has a constitutionally recognised national dialogue, called Parliament.
Secondly, we have decided to vote against the departmental budgets allocated to Ministers who have been implicated in wrongdoing. Our position is clear: if the President wants our support for those budgets, he must appoint ethical people. We will continue to support the overall budget, but we must act against the looters who are heading certain ministries.
Let me be absolutely clear: the DA will not abandon our post. We remain part of the Government of National Unity, because South Africans deserve accountability, openness, and good governance. We are in government to deliver. Our Ministers are doing the work.
But if the ANC does not change course soon (if it refuses to act against the corrupt and continues to treat its coalition partners with contempt) then the very future of this government will be in jeopardy. That is not our wish. Yet we will not stay silent when so much is at stake.
We joined the GNU to serve the people of South Africa and rescue our beloved country. And that is exactly what we intend to keep doing.
Yours in service,
John Steenhuisen
Federal Leader, Democratic Alliance