Without the DA the National Dialogue will be useless – Helen Zille
The DA will not be leaving the GNU after President Cyril Ramaphosa fired Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Andrew Whitfield.
Democratic Alliance (DA) federal council chairperson, Helen Zille, addressed a media briefing on 28 January 2025. Picture: Thabiso Goba/EWN
702’s Clement Manyathela speaks with Helen Zille, the DA Federal Chairperson.
Listen below:
The DA has responded to Andrew Whitfield’s dismissal by withdrawing from the National Dialogue.
“Now they can have a completely useless National Dialogue because, without us, without nearly 25% of the country, many other people are going to boycott as well. It will be a meaningless, hollow gesture.”
- Helen Zille, Federal Chairperson - DA
They are also refusing to vote in favour of any budget votes presented by ministers linked to corruption.
They will not, however, withdraw from the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Zille says they believe this is an appropriate response to President Cyril Ramaphosa's ‘double standards and hypocrisy’.
“We won’t be treated like that.”
- Helen Zille
She adds that the DA will not walk away from the GNU as they feel the consequences would be 'catastrophic'.
“We are going to walk away when the president fires us. We are not going to do him or the ANC any favours.”
- Helen Zille
However, she says the DA will not accept everything the ANC throws at them and will fight back.
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Zille also defends Whitfield’s trip to the US in February, saying it was not on official government business.
She says he did apply for permission to travel, which he did not have to do, in her opinion, and argues that it was not fair to fire him.
“He could have just replied. It is the president’s fault, 100%.”
- Helen Zille
“The DA achieved a lot in that meeting, maybe that is why the ANC is so cross.”
- Helen Zille
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