PRETORIA, June 28 (TNF): South Africa’s Democratic Alliance (DA) has decided to withdraw from the recently launched “national dialogue.” Party leader John Steenhuisen called the dialogue a waste of public funds that delivers no real results. He spoke at a press conference on Saturday. Steenhuisen also attacked President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government, calling it corrupt and compromised. However, he confirmed that the DA will stay in the governing coalition for now.
Steenhuisen said South Africa cannot improve as long as corrupt leaders remain in charge. He believes these figures block any chance of true reform. His comments come as the DA struggles with its uneasy alliance with the African National Congress (ANC) in the Government of National Unity (GNU). The ANC formed the GNU after losing its parliamentary majority in last year’s election — the first such loss in 30 years. The DA, a pro-market and right-leaning party, often clashes with the centre-left ANC over policies like Black economic empowerment and fiscal matters.
Ramaphosa launched the national dialogue to build unity and address major problems like high unemployment and crime. The DA’s withdrawal has dealt a serious blow to this effort. Steenhuisen dismissed the dialogue as a hollow move that fails to solve the nation’s urgent issues.
Tensions rose further after Ramaphosa fired DA deputy minister Andrew Whitfield. Whitfield had taken an unsanctioned trip to the United States. Steenhuisen called the dismissal unfair. He said Whitfield had asked for approval for the trip but got no reply from the president’s office. Steenhuisen then gave the ANC an ultimatum. He demanded that the party remove ministers Thembi Simelane and Nobuhle Nkabane, who face corruption charges. He gave the ANC 48 hours to act. He warned that failure to do so would have consequences.
The presidency defended Ramaphosa’s decision. It said Whitfield broke protocol and cabinet rules. The presidency also rejected Steenhuisen’s ultimatum. It said Ramaphosa has full constitutional power to appoint or dismiss ministers as he chooses.
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