‘Rocky moment for national govt’ as ANC-DA tension builds

The ANC-DA fallout in Tshwane is a serious issue for the government of national unity (GNU) that could have widespread implications for both parties and spill over into the national coalition, an expert says.

- Eric Naki

Political economy analyst Daniel Silke said the electoral outcome in which an ActionSA candidate, backed by the ANC, beat the DA's ousted mayor, Cilliers Brink, by a huge margin could create tensions within the DA and this could spill over into the GNU.

“This is a rocky moment for the GNU - probably the first major crisis that the GNU is going to face, at least in terms of the DA participation,” he said.

Silke said this could create tension for both the ANC and the DA because the ANC factions are set on their own power and independence.

He added that it was also an indication that President Cyril Ramaphosa and party secretary-general Fikile Mbalula did not have the power to establish national and local positions for the broader GNU cooperation.

“This will have an impact on Ramaphosa's ANC as well,” the analyst said.