DA's Steenhuisen challenges ANC's decision to expand GNU

JOHANNESBURG - With the African National Congress (ANC) planning on expanding the Government of National Unity (GNU), Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen said he fails to see the reason behind the move.

Last week, the ANC announced it would start inviting opposition parties to join the coalition pact.

The plan is included in the party’s strategy to strengthen the unity government, which has battled internal squabbles.

Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Monday, Steenhuisen challenged the decision to broaden the GNU.

During the budget deadlock, the ANC turned to opposition parties for support in passing the fiscal framework after the DA and Freedom Front Plus declined to back it.

Following its recent NEC meeting, the ANC resolved that opposition parties that supported the budget likely have an interest in joining the Government of National Unity.

It is for this reason that the party is considering expanding the coalition.

However, Steenhuisen said he does not believe this is the right move.

"I don’t believe that expanding the GNU is going to assist the GNU to go forward. I think it’s going to complicate things even further. We already have ten parties in the GNU. It’s one of the largest coalitions in the world. There should be more focus on improving the relations among parties within the GNU."

Steenhuisen said the ANC cannot expand the GNU on its own and must first consult its coalition partners.

The ANC believes that since it formed the GNU, it has the right to decide on its structure.