DA dismisses Ramaphosa's intention to sign NHI Bill into law as populist political ploy
Leader of the DA John Steenhuisen said Ramaphosa’s announcement was a last-ditch attempt by a desperate leader whose party faces its most contested ballot test.
Picture: X/Our_DA
CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) has dismissed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s intention to sign the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law on Wednesday, as a populist political ploy that smacks of desperation.
Opposition leader John Steenhuisen said Ramaphosa’s announcement on Monday night was a last-ditch attempt by a desperate leader whose party faces its most contested ballot test ever.
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In a public announcement on Tuesday morning, Steenhuisen said his legal team is ready to file court papers to challenge the NHI as soon as it becomes law.
After more than a decade in the corridors of Parliament, the NHI Bill landed on Ramaphosa’s desk in December.
During his State of the Nation Address in February, he quipped that he was only looking for a pen to sign it into law.
On Tuesday, Steenhuisen said the timing of the move signalled political desperation.
“Ramaphosa has deliberately triggered a crisis that presents an existential threat to our future because the ANC [African National Congress] is about to lose an election for the first time ever.”
Steenhuisen said his party has been preparing for months to launch a legal challenge against the implementation of a universal health insurance.
“We will enter into evidence to show that the process which led to the adoption of this bill by Parliament disregarded public input.”
The DA is predicting astronomical increases in both personal and value-added taxes to fund the NHI amid fears it will also spell the end of private health cover.