Steenhuisen believes DA's future in GNU has become a political pawn in 'internal ANC factional battles'
DA leader John Steenhuisen said that his party doesn't want to leave government, but it’s also not about to be a casual bystander to the ANC's repeated implementation of what it views as failed economic policies.
FILE: DA leader John Steenhuisen addressed a media briefing on 28 January 2025. Picture: @Our_DA/X
CAPE TOWN - Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen believes his party's future in the Government of National Unity (GNU) has become a political pawn in the African National Congress (ANC)'s internal power struggle.
While Deputy President Paul Mashatile has appeared to be driving the campaign to boot the DA out, President Cyril Ramaphosa seems to have adopted a more measured approach.
Steenhuisen said that his party doesn't want to leave government, but it’s also not about to be a casual bystander to the ANC's repeated implementation of what it views as failed economic policies.
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On Tuesday, the ANC threw the DA another lifeline after its most recent clash blew up in Parliament last week when it refused to back other GNU parties in supporting the budget framework.
Many in the ANC viewed this as the final straw in its battles over legislation, and wanted the DA gone, saying they can't stay to implement a budget they don't support.
Steenhuisen, however, said that the ANC was behaving like Big Brother.
"The ANC can't continue to behave like they are a majority party. They are a minority party, just like us, and both sides have to accept we are not going to get everything we want, but we must accept, surely, that we must get some of what we want."
Steenhuisen said that the tug-of-war was part of a greater battle taking place within the ANC as it prepares for its national general council in a few months' time.
"I think the positioning we see now is internal ANC factional battles and the DA is being used as a useful proxy in this battle to draw those battle lines."
Despite the differing opinions that exist within his own party, Steenhuisen claims the prevailing view is for the DA to stay the course and make the GNU work.