TENSIONS within South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) have escalated, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) accusing the ruling African National Congress (ANC) of unilateral decision-making on key legislative reforms.
The dispute, declared on Saturday by the DA, stems from a lack of consultation on bills concerning land expropriation and health reform—longstanding points of contention in South African politics. Reuters reports that DA leader John Steenhuisen emphasised the need for a ‘reset’ in relations between coalition partners, while the ANC defended its actions, stating its commitment to the country’s transformation agenda.
Dispute over governance
‘The president needs to accept that his party is now just another minority party, and the DA will not, under any circumstances, be reduced to being mere spectators,’ Steenhuisen said during a news briefing.
Despite the friction, Steenhuisen clarified that the DA, the second-largest party in the GNU, was not planning to withdraw from the coalition but insisted that processes needed to change.
The ANC, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, was forced into a coalition government last year after failing to secure a parliamentary majority. However, this power-sharing arrangement has been fraught with disagreements over major policy issues.
Contentious reforms in focus
The two bills at the centre of the dispute highlight deep ideological divides within the coalition.
The National Health Insurance (NHI) bill, aimed at providing universal healthcare, has faced widespread opposition. Critics, including the DA, argue that the overhaul of South Africa’s two-tier healthcare system could strain the economy and compromise healthcare quality.
Meanwhile, the recently enacted expropriation bill, signed into law by Ramaphosa last week, has reignited debates over land redistribution. The legislation simplifies the process for the state to expropriate land in the public interest, a move the DA claims is unconstitutional.
‘I have written to the president to express our objections. This is not just about the legislation itself but about the manner in which the GNU has handled this process,’ Steenhuisen added.
ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula responded by asserting that the DA was aware of the expropriation bill prior to its enactment. ‘If there is something unlawful, it can be ventilated in the courts rather than bringing the GNU into disrepute,’ Mbalula said during a press briefing.
Broader coalition challenges
The Democratic Alliance is not alone in its dissatisfaction. The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the coalition’s third-largest member, has also criticised the expropriation bill. Analysts suggest that such discontent reflects broader instability within the GNU, as coalition partners struggle to find common ground on transformative policies.
The ANC remains steadfast in its approach. ‘We will persist with the transformation agenda,’ Mbalula reiterated. He also emphasised the party’s openness to dialogue, including with coalition partners who oppose recent reforms.
Political and economic implications
The disputes within the GNU come at a critical time for South Africa, as the government grapples with economic challenges, high unemployment, and public discontent over service delivery. The land expropriation debate, in particular, has heightened tensions, with opponents warning of potential negative effects on investor confidence.
At the same time, the NHI bill has divided opinions across the political spectrum, with proponents citing the urgent need for healthcare equity and opponents questioning the feasibility of its implementation.
The DA’s call for a reset in coalition dynamics underscores the difficulty of governing through compromise, especially when fundamental ideological differences exist.
Path forward
The GNU faces a crucial test in maintaining unity while addressing the competing priorities of its members. Legal challenges to the expropriation bill are likely, and further negotiations on the NHI bill may be needed to placate coalition partners.
As South Africa navigates these complex issues, the ability of the coalition government to work together will determine its effectiveness in addressing the country’s pressing social and economic challenges.
