ANC Youth League calls for DA ministers to be removed from GNU

ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji has called for DA ministers to be removed from the GNU ahead of the November 4 local government elections.

The ANC Youth League’s call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove all Democratic Alliance (DA) ministers from the Government of National Unity (GNU) has exposed growing tensions within the governing partnership, with analysts pointing to deep ideological divisions over economic policy ahead of the November 4 local government elections.

The demand has also raised questions about whether the ANC wants to change its governing partners or is positioning itself politically to reassure voters opposed to its alliance with the DA.

Political analyst Sandile Swana said disagreements over black economic empowerment (BEE), land expropriation without compensation, the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme and economic policy had deepened tensions between the parties.

ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji called on Ramaphosa to remove all DA ministers and reopen discussions with other political parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

Speaking at a media briefing at Luthuli House in Johannesburg last Thursday, Malatji said the Youth League had initially believed the partnership would bring stability to government.

There is a crack in the alliance, there is a measure of rebellion in parliament, there are actions inside the cabinet in the ANC and in the ANC Youth League.

He argued that the divisions could create an opening for the EFF to replace the DA in the GNU, although he said it was unclear whether the latest statements were genuine attempts to change the government or election positioning.