Democratic Alliance (DA)
By Thabo Mosia
Cape Town, South Africa – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has laid criminal charges against Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, accusing her of lying to parliament to hide the “fraudulent appointment” of ANC-linked individuals to education authority boards. This bold move comes as tensions boil over in the Government of National Unity (GNU), triggered by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s sudden dismissal of DA Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield for an unauthorised overseas trip. The DA has since pulled out of a national dialogue set up by Ramaphosa and promised to block budgets for departments run by ANC ministers accused of corruption, putting the coalition—and South Africa’s stability—on the edge.
A Coalition Born Out of Necessity
The GNU took shape in June 2024 after the African National Congress (ANC) lost its majority in the May elections, dropping to 40% of the vote due to years of corruption and mismanagement. This forced the ANC into a coalition with nine parties, including the DA, which holds 22% of the vote and is the second-largest partner. The 10-party alliance was meant to bring hope and fix a country battered by graft and crumbling infrastructure. The DA joined with six ministers and six deputy ministers, aiming to fight corruption and boost the economy.
But the honeymoon didn’t last. Disputes over laws like the National Health Insurance (NHI), Employment Equity Act, and a 2% VAT hike in the 2025 Budget—pushed through with help from smaller parties like Action SA and BOSA after DA opposition—have strained the partnership. The ANC’s control of 63% of ministerial posts and 77% of deputy roles, despite only 55% of GNU votes, has left the DA feeling sidelined. Now, Whitfield’s sacking has lit the fuse.
The Charges: What’s Behind the DA’s Move?
The DA’s criminal charges against Minister Nkabane centre on her handling of Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) board appointments. The party alleges she told parliament these were picked by an “independent board of experts,” but DA MP Karabo Khakhau uncovered a different story. Three of the six “experts” were Nkabane’s own staff—including her chief of staff, a chief director, and the director of corporate services—while others were ANC loyalists. The DA calls this a “blatant lie to parliament,” a criminal offence with roots in South African law.
“Corruption in the executive has become standard practice under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s watch,” the DA said in a statement. At Cape Town Police Station, DA MP Baxolile Nodada told reporters, “We’re taking action because the president of the country, the president of the ANC, refuses to act on corrupt ministers.” DA Federal Council Chairperson Helen Zille added historical weight: “Even under apartheid, ministers were forced to resign for lying to parliament. Tony Yengeni was found guilty of fraud for misleading parliament. This cannot be tolerated now.”
Nkabane later withdrew some appointments and claimed an advocate she named wasn’t involved, which the DA sees as a guilty backtrack. They’ve filed an ethics complaint in parliament and a case with the Public Protector, but the criminal charges are their strongest push yet.
Whitfield’s Firing: The Breaking Point
The crisis erupted on 25 June 2025 when Ramaphosa fired Andrew Whitfield, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, over a February 2025 trip to the US. Ramaphosa said Whitfield broke “rules and established practices” by not getting approval, citing his constitutional power under Section 93(1) to hire and fire executive members. He pointed to past examples: Nelson Mandela sacking Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in 1995 and Thabo Mbeki dismissing Nosizwe Madlala-Routledge in 2007.
The DA tells a different tale. Leader John Steenhuisen said Whitfield requested permission on 12 February 2025 to meet US lawmakers and Trump officials to ease diplomatic tensions during a rocky patch for South Africa. After 10 days of silence from Ramaphosa’s office, he went ahead, funding it with DA money—not taxpayers’. He briefed the presidency afterward with no fuss—until four months later, when a curt dismissal letter arrived. “Short, sharp, and to the point,” Whitfield called it, with no clear reason.
The DA claims it’s retaliation. Whitfield had been digging into shady Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) appointments, National Lottery tender issues, and transformation fund mismanagement—work that likely irked ANC insiders. Zille posted on X: “Andrew was fired because he was effectively challenging corruption and job-killing policies.”
DA Fights Back: Ultimatum and Pullout
On 26 June 2025, the DA gave Ramaphosa a 48-hour ultimatum: fire corrupt ANC ministers by 15:30 on 28 June 2025 or face “political consequences.” They named:
• Justice Minister Thembi Simelane, linked to the VBS Mutual Bank scandal.
• Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, accused of misleading parliament.
• Former State Security Minister David Mahlobo, flagged in the Zondo state capture report.
Steenhuisen blasted Ramaphosa’s double standards: “Are South Africans expected to accept that fraudsters and Zondo-implicated ministers stay, while Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield is removed for an admin technicality?” He pointed to past leniency, like a 2020 slap on the wrist for Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s misuse of a military plane for an ANC trip.
When the deadline passed with no action, the DA upped the ante. At a 28 June 2025 press briefing, Steenhuisen announced their withdrawal from the National Dialogue—a R740 million initiative meant to unite GNU partners and civil society. “It’s a waste of time and money,” he said, accusing the ANC of ignoring the GNU’s Statement of Intent, especially clause 19.3 on dispute resolution. The DA also vowed to vote against budgets for departments led by corrupt ANC ministers, though they’ll back the broader GNU budget to keep the country running.
Steenhuisen hinted at a motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa but held off for now. “Without the DA’s numbers in parliament, President Ramaphosa would never have had such prerogative in the first place,” he warned.
ANC Hits Back: No Surrender
Ramaphosa refused to bend. “The President shall not yield to threats and ultimatums, especially coming from members of the Executive that he has the prerogative to appoint,” he said, calling Steenhuisen’s words “irresponsible.” ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the party will review the DA’s moves at its mid-July National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, promising a “thorough reflection” on the GNU’s future.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula doubled down: “Even if the DA walks out, the Government of National Unity will never collapse.” He defended Ramaphosa’s powers, citing Mandela dismissing his own wife, and scoffed at the DA’s threats: “The president is now being disrespected by a small boy who feels emboldened thanks to the DA.” On the National Dialogue, he insisted it’s for all South Africans, not just parties, and brushed off the DA’s exit as petty.
Ramaphosa even cancelled a trip to Spain’s 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (30 June–3 July 2025), sending Minister Ronald Lamola instead. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said it was due to “recent political developments” needing “close monitoring.”
Other Voices Weigh In
The fallout’s stirred a chorus of reactions. The Good Party’s Brett Herron called the DA’s threats “reckless,” warning a successful no-confidence vote would end the GNU and cost the DA their executive seats. Action SA’s Athol Trollip agreed Ramaphosa spares ANC ministers but said they won’t back a DA-led motion: “They must live with their decision to join the GNU.”
EFF leader Julius Malema slammed the DA’s whining: “They’ve no reason to complain. They went into a marriage knowing very well that they are going with the ANC-corrupt government.” Patriotic Alliance Deputy President Kenny Kunene vowed to defend Ramaphosa, saying, “The DA holds no cards within the GNU.” Analyst William Rooi accused the DA of opportunism: “DA didn’t oppose the national dialogue even its 700 million budget until its deputy minister was sacked by Ramaphosa.”
Echoes of the Past
The DA leans on history to bolster its case. Zille recalled the apartheid-era “information scandal,” where Minister Connie Mulder resigned for lying to parliament, and Prime Minister John Vorster quit when linked to it. Tony Yengeni’s fraud conviction for misleading parliament under Thabo Mbeki is another precedent. “Lying to parliament is not just an indiscretion; it’s a criminal offence,” Zille said.
What’s Next for the GNU?
The GNU’s future hangs in the balance. If the DA keeps blocking budgets or pulls out, the coalition could crumble, risking economic chaos or new elections. Steenhuisen said they’ll stay for now: “We will not use [a motion of no confidence] lightly.” Zille added on 702 that the DA won’t leave lightly, mindful of the fallout for ordinary South Africans.
Analyst Melanie Verwoerd warned, “Whitfield’s removal could be a sign that the ANC is reasserting control, but it risks alienating its coalition partners.” The MK Party called the GNU “dysfunctional,” while public frustration grows. “While politicians fight over power, we’re still waiting for jobs and better schools,” one X user wrote.
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