SABC vs GNU: Mpofu says EFF, MK Party excluded from GNU before its formation
Advocate Dali Mpofu said two major parties representing approximately 25% of the electorate - the MK Party and the EFF - were excluded as a pre-condition by the DA.
Dali Mpofu speaks to Eyewitness News on Sunday, 15 December 2024 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban as the MK Party celebrated its first-year anniversary. Picture: Abigail Javier / Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The lawyer representing Former President Jacob Zuma has argued that a requirement for a Government of National Unity (GNU) is that parties representing 85% to 90% form part of government.
Advocate Dali Mpofu said two major parties representing approximately 25% of the electorate - the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) - were excluded as a pre-condition by the Democratic Alliance (DA).
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This followed the African National Congress (ANC)’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, and the DA’s federal chairperson, Helen Zille, signing a statement of intent that would govern their relations.
Mpofu is representing the former head of state and the MK Party, who are challenging the SABC’s use of the term "Government of National Unity" before the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg.
Mpofu argued that the requirement of a GNU was borne after only two parties signed the statement of intent.
Mpofu told the court the DA labelled the inclusion of the MK Party and the EFF in the GNU as a "doomsday coalition”.
The result, Mpofu submitted, was the exclusion of millions of South Africans.
“By so doing, that act, the very foundation of the agreement, statement of intent, is the exclusion of at least four million South Africans from political participation or determining the destiny of their country.”
However, Judge Denise Fisher highlighted that the exclusion was simply from the executive, as the electorate exercised its right to vote as per Section 19 of the Constitution.