North Gauteng High Court
By Karabo Marifi
In a significant ruling on 18 July 2025, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria dismissed the Labour Party’s urgent bid to stop President Cyril Ramaphosa’s National Dialogue, paving the way for the initiative to kick off in August despite ongoing political friction within the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Court Rejects Labour Party’s Urgent Interdict
The Labour Party, led by Joseph Mathunjwa, approached the court seeking an urgent interdict to halt the National Dialogue before its first national convention on 15 August 2025. They argued that the process was unconstitutional, irrational, exclusionary, and a wasteful duplication of existing structures like Parliament and the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC). The party claimed it ignored the working class and would burden taxpayers with unnecessary costs, estimated at around R700 million.
In its judgment, the court found that the Labour Party did not meet the legal threshold for an interim interdict. It ruled that the National Dialogue is rationally connected to the president’s duties under section 83 of the Constitution, which tasks him with promoting national unity and advancing the Republic’s interests. The state and foundations involved in organising the dialogue defended it as a permissible effort to foster consensus on South Africa’s future, drawing from historical processes like the Freedom Charter and the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA).
Judge Nomonde Makhanya emphasised that the projected R700 million cost was not yet final and could be adjusted, noting efforts by a preparatory committee to bring it down through cost-cutting measures. The ruling allows the dialogue to proceed as planned, but the Labour Party has vowed to pursue a full constitutional challenge and is now calling for fresh elections, arguing that the current setup betrays democratic principles.
This decision comes amid broader concerns about the initiative’s value. Critics, including some civil society groups, question whether it will deliver tangible outcomes or simply become another talk shop in a country already grappling with urgent crises like unemployment, crime, and inequality.
DA’s Withdrawal Sparks GNU Crisis
The court’s green light arrives against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the GNU, formed after the ANC’s 40% vote share in the May 2024 elections forced it into a coalition with parties like the Democratic Alliance (DA), which secured 22%. The DA, the second-largest partner, dramatically withdrew from the National Dialogue on 28 June 2025, labelling it a “waste of time and money” with a R740 million price tag. DA leader John Steenhuisen announced the pullout after Ramaphosa sacked DA deputy trade and industry minister Andrew Whitfield on 25 June 2025 for an unauthorised US trip in February, which the DA claims was aimed at repairing international ties strained by South Africa’s foreign policy stances.
Steenhuisen accused Ramaphosa of arrogance and ignoring the GNU’s Statement of Intent, which emphasises fighting corruption and ending cadre deployment. The DA also resolved to vote against budgets for departments led by “corruption-accused ANC ministers,” such as Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, linked to the VBS Mutual Bank scandal, and Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, accused of misleading Parliament about SETA board appointments involving ANC-linked candidates.
On 29 June 2025, the DA escalated by filing criminal charges against Nkabane at Cape Town Central police station for alleged fraud and perjury. DA federal chairperson Helen Zille and MP Karabo Khakhau claimed Nkabane lied about an “independent” panel selecting board members, when three of six evaluators were her staff. “This was a blatant lie to parliament and a misleading of parliament,” Zille said, highlighting historical precedents where such actions led to resignations.
The DA has threatened a motion of no confidence against Ramaphosa under section 102 of the Constitution, calling it the “nuclear option” with their 87 MPs potentially swaying the 400-seat National Assembly if backed by opposition like the EFF or MK Party. However, Steenhuisen confirmed on 28 June that the federal executive decided against it for now, opting to stay in the GNU to prevent a “coalition of chaos and corruption” with radical parties.
Mashatile Defends Ramaphosa and Pushes Forward
Deputy President Paul Mashatile hit back at the DA’s threats during a service delivery programme in Matjhabeng, Free State, on 29 June 2025 (a Tuesday, despite initial reports). Speaking alongside Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, Mashatile vowed to “crush” any no-confidence motion, insisting the GNU would support all budget votes to deliver for the people. “The Government of National Unity will continue. We’re going to vote for all budgets. If the DA chooses not to support them, that’s their decision,” he said.
Mashatile stressed that the National Dialogue is “people-driven” and not beholden to political parties. “The National Dialogue is going to proceed. We’ve got a convention on the 15th of August, and we’re moving forward because this process is not about political parties, it’s for the people,” he declared. He highlighted its aim to address poverty, inequality, and economic exclusion through ward-level consultations, digital platforms targeting 2.5 million citizens, and citizen-hosted events, culminating in a second convention to draft a 30-year National Compact.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula echoed Mashatile, dismissing the DA’s threats as ultimatums that won’t dictate government. “If they propose a motion of no confidence, it means they are out of the GNU. We will wait and reflect on these developments,” Mbalula said after the OR Tambo Regional Conference. He quipped that Ramaphosa shouldn’t fear the DA, referencing Nelson Mandela’s dismissal of his own wife from Cabinet. “Nelson Mandela once dismissed his own wife from cabinet… So why should Cyril Ramaphosa fear the DA?”
The ANC’s National Working Committee (NWC) reviewed the DA’s withdrawal on 1 July 2025, opting not to retaliate against DA-led budgets, viewing them as serving the nation rather than individuals. The National Executive Committee (NEC) is set to discuss implications mid-July.
Reactions from Parties, Analysts, and Public
Other GNU partners and opposition have weighed in critically. The Good Party’s Brett Herron called the DA’s no-confidence threat “reckless,” warning it could collapse the GNU and cost the DA their executive roles. “Who would work with such an unreliable partner?” he asked. ActionSA’s Athol Trollip said the DA must live with joining the GNU, while Patriotic Alliance’s Kenny Kunene pledged to defend Ramaphosa, accusing Zille of “white supremacist tendencies.” Al Jama-ah’s Ganief Hendricks urged dialogue at the GNU Leaders Forum instead of threats.
EFF leader Julius Malema criticised the DA’s flip-flop: “They went into a marriage knowing the ANC is corrupt… You cannot oppose the government you are part of.” Analysts like William Rooi branded the DA “opportunistic,” noting they supported the dialogue’s budget until Whitfield’s sacking. Public sentiment on social media reflects skepticism, with users questioning the R700 million cost amid high unemployment—nearly 1 million youth applied for 5,500 SAPS posts—and calling for action on borders and jobs instead of talks.
Ramaphosa has tasked an Eminent Persons Group, co-chaired by Prof Tinyiko Maluleke and including figures like Miss SA Mia le Roux, to boost participation. He insists the dialogue is “not ‘just about talking’”, expecting it to “produce real results” on issues like police corruption, where figures demand government accountability.
Cost Concerns and Future Plans
The projected R700 million budget has drawn fire, but Ramaphosa pledged on 25 June 2025 to cut costs following public backlash. The preparatory committee is exploring reductions, with the Presidency clarifying it’s not final and will involve funding from various sources, not just taxpayers. The 12-month process includes over 13,000 ward dialogues and aims for inclusive engagement across 30 sectors.
Ramaphosa cancelled a Spain trip from 30 June to 3 July 2025 due to “political developments,” sending Minister Ronald Lamola instead. As the dialogue approaches, its success hinges on bridging divides in a fractured GNU, where clashes over policies like the National Health Insurance and Expropriation Act underscore deeper rifts.
This saga highlights South Africa’s fragile unity
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