Is the Multi-Party Charter on shaky ground following Steenhuisen's rant?
Some partners in the Multi-Party Charter (MPC) have described John Steenhuisen's condemnation of parties vying for power in the Western Cape as disingenuous and a demonstration of insecurity.
A number of political parties, which are part of the Multi-Party Charter for South Africa, address the media at the Mfuleni Police station on 13 March 2024 on their plans to combat crime, corruption, and drugs. Picture: Ntuthuzelo Nene/Eyyewitness News
Lester Kiewit speaks to Michael Beaumont, Interim National Chairperson of Action SA about the DA’s stance on smaller political parties and its revelation of a possible coalition with the ANC.
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Steenhuisen takes pot shot at parties outside DA's MPC for 'making life harder'
A leaked memo intended only for members of Action SA has revealed the party's concern about a possible DA-ANC coalition.
Action SA is one of the signatories to the DA's Multi-Party Charter, set up in the hope of toppling the ANC's majority.
At the weekend, DA leader John Steenhuisen took 'pot shots' at several smaller parties, questioning why they were campaigning for the Western Cape.
But more alarming for some MPC members, he also did not rule out the possibility of the DA co-governing with the ANC.
Action SA's Michael Beaumont took to X (formerly Twitter) saying, " Action SA joined the Multi-Party Charter for South Africans who want change, not for other parties. In our agreement, parties committed to not entertain working with the ANC."
Speaking to Lester Kiewit on Wednesday, Beaumont says the leaked memo raised a valid concern.
"Regrettably [the memo] has ended up in the public domain. It's intent was good, in as much as many Action SA structures have been raising their concerns about Action SA's involvement in the Multi-Party Charter while other parties in the charter are openly talking about the possibility of co-governing with the ANC."
Michael Beaumont, Interim National Chairperson - Action SA
Action SA isn't the only member of the Charter who have concerns over Steenhuisen's weekend rant.
The Freedom Front Plus (FF+) has also said that Steenhuisen's remarks were at odds with the DA's own belief in a competitive, free market system.
So, is this a sign that the Multi-Parter Charter is on rocky ground? Beaumont says no.
"The important thing about an arrangement of this nature is that it operates around a signed agreement. We have a signed agreement and that agreement says no party in our arrangement will entertain working relationships with the ANC and from time to time we need to hold each other to account."
Michael Beaumont, Interim National Chairperson - Action SA