More tension expected within GNU – analyst
A political analyst believes South Africans should expect more tensions within the Government of National Unity.
On Saturday, the DA announced its withdrawal from the National Dialogue.
It came after President Cyril Ramaphosa removed the DA's Andrew Whitfield from cabinet after an unauthorised trip to the US.
The party also says it will not support any budget votes for departments run by ANC ministers implicated in corruption.
READ: Political parties react to DA threats
Dr Imraan Buccus says the DA’s decision is likely to deepen divisions in the unity government.
" When you have two parties that are so diametrically opposed, ideologically, you know, that have two different visions despite what they say for the country. I think it is going to be difficult if you take the major issues like the economy, the DA believes less state intervention compared to the ANC."
Buccus says Ramaphosa was justified in firing Whitfield.
"Politics is largely about the balance of forces and I think in this particular instance with the deputy minister of the DA, going to the US without permission from the president immediately places the DA on the back foot."
Meanwhile, the ANC says it may also reconsider its support for budget votes involving DA ministers.
In a statement on Sunday, ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the DA should decide whether it is part of the GNU or the opposition.
She dismissed the DA’s talk of a no-confidence motion against Ramaphosa, saying the ANC is ready to defend him in Parliament.
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