ANC warns coalition partners against undermining government
The African National Congress (ANC) has warned that one or two parties within the Government of National Unity (GNU)
Image: Kamogelo Moichela/IOL Poltics
The African National Congress (ANC) has warned that one or two parties within the Government of National Unity (GNU) are acting more like opposition than coalition partners.
The GNU was formed last year after the ANC failed to secure a parliamentary majority, bringing together the Democratic Alliance (DA), Freedom Front Plus (FF+), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), United Democratic Movement (UDM) and the Patriotic Alliance (PA).
Tensions in the coalition have been most visible with the DA, which has frequently challenged government decisions in court, including disputes over the national budget and the implementation of key transformation policies such as Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) and National Health Insurance (NHI).
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the party was concerned that some coalition partners were acting more like opposition by taking government decisions to court.
"One or two parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) are playing the role of opposition rather than the role of service delivery, and I think we have to say that," Bhengu-Motsiri said in an interview with broadcaster eNCA.
The party warned that if it does not speak out, the Democratic Alliance (DA) will continue challenging government decisions in court, which undermines the GNU’s ability to deliver services.
"If we don't say that, the Democratic Alliance (DA) will continue to play the role it currently plays, taking government decisions to court," she said.
She also touched on the ANC's renewal, saying that the party has established its own performance indicators to measure progress on the renewal agenda.
"The revival of our leagues, and most importantly, I'd like to always lift up the establishment of the Veterans League that has played a big part in pushing and supporting the leadership of our organisation in terms of the renewal agenda. We've seen political development and ideological development coming back".
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
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