The Democratic Alliance (DA) announced earlier today (Saturday – June 28) that it will vote against the budget allocations of departments led by Ministers it believes are implicated in corruption or misconduct, marking a major shift in how the party will engage with the Government of National Unity (GNU) going forward.
The decision, made by the party’s Federal Executive, targets specific ANC Ministers, including Thembi Simelane and Nobuhle Nkabane, whom the DA accused of being involved in unresolved scandals ranging from the VBS Mutual Bank saga to misleading Parliament.
According to DA leader John Steenhuisen, the move aims to force accountability without collapsing the entire GNU. “We will support the broader budget to ensure national stability, but we cannot in good conscience approve funds for departments led by Ministers under a cloud of serious allegations,” he said.
“The President has chosen to shield ANC Ministers implicated in corruption while dismissing a DA Deputy Minister for a procedural oversight,” Steenhuisen added, referring to the recent removal of Andrew Whitfield as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.
Whitfield was dismissed earlier this week for undertaking an overseas trip to the United States without prior approval from the President, a breach of executive protocol that the Presidency says was clearly explained to all Ministers and Deputies. In a statement issued on Friday (June 27), Ramaphosa said the rules were not new and had been reiterated as recently as March in Cabinet.
“This was not about politics, it was about enforcing the standards expected of Members of the Executive,” the President said, adding that there was historical precedent for such dismissals under former Presidents Mandela and Mbeki.
In addition to opposing the departmental budgets, the DA also confirmed its withdrawal from the National Dialogue, a multi-party initiative aimed at fostering consensus on key policy issues. Steenhuisen labelled the process a “talk shop with no real power,” accusing the ANC of using it to distract from internal dysfunction and delay meaningful reform.
The Presidency has dismissed these claims, calling the DA’s reaction “intemperate” and “unprecedented in our democratic history.” The statement maintained that executive decisions must not be subject to ultimatums, especially from coalition partners.
The DA’s latest move could test the stability of the GNU, which was formed after the 2024 general election resulted in no single party securing a majority. The coalition, built on a Statement of Intent that committed members to collaborative governance and anti-corruption measures, now faces growing internal strain.
While the DA has not yet tabled a motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa, Steenhuisen confirmed the party is “seriously considering” such a step if current tensions are not resolved.