Ball in DA's court about its future in GNU, says ANC's Mbalula

JOHANNESBURG - The ball is now in the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s court to decide whether or not it wants to stay in the Government of National Unity (GNU) following disputes over the national budget.

The ANC’s national working committee (NWC) has resolved to reopen negotiations with all political parties in and out of the executive to resolve the budget impasse.

Although some within the ANC want the DA out of the GNU, the NWC deems it necessary to hold further engagements on the matter.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula presented the outcomes of the party’s NWC at its Luthuli House headquarters on Tuesday.

Although some anticipated the ANC would file for divorce against its coalition partner, the DA, the party chose instead to attempt to counsel their rocky relationship through further talks.

But Mbalula said the party would no longer beg the DA, as the value-added tax (VAT) increase remains a point of contention.

"We’ll never beg the DA. We are not beholden to them. They have chosen to participate, and they have created their own chaos but we’re still standing."

The DA claims that the ANC's choice to seek support outside the GNU to pass the fiscal framework was a move made in bad faith.

However, the party is still eager to return to the negotiating table, hoping to break the budget deadlock.

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