Despite frequent legal challenges against GNU, DA not intending to leave govt anytime soon

JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it doesn't intend to wave goodbye to the Government of National Unity (GNU) anytime soon, following concerns over its frequent legal challenges against a government it's part of.

The Pretoria High Court is set to hear the DA's case on Tuesday, challenging the constitutionality of the Employment Equity Amendment Act. 

Section 15(A) of the legislation is the DA's main worry, which aims to ensure a fair representation of marginalised groups in companies with more than 50 employees.

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The DA, however, believes employment shouldn’t be based on race or gender but rather on skill and merit.

Despite being a member of the GNU, the DA continues to challenge legislation it disagrees with through the courts.

It recently went to court over the fiscal framework and is now legally contesting the Employment Equity Amendment Act.

These actions have irritated the African National Congress (ANC), which argues the DA is defining itself outside of the unity government.

But the DA's federal chairperson, Helen Zille, said the ANC should buckle up.

"At the moment, we believe that being inside the Government of National Unity gives us more leverage than if we were outside. I can't say that this will always be the case. It’s not my decision to make. The DA has structures and procedures through which these decisions are taken."

The ANC's Fikile Mbalula maintains the DA should choose whether it wants to remain in government or go back to the opposition benches.