The Democratic Alliance (DA) party, South Africa’s second-largest party, has declared a dispute with the Government of National Unity (GNU), citing a lack of consultation on critical bills regarding health and land expropriation. DA leader John Steenhuisen criticized the African National Congress (ANC) for sidelining its fellow coalition members, asserting that the DA would not be reduced to mere spectators. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ANC, which formed the GNU after losing its majority, defended its agenda. Nevertheless, the party expressed a willingness to engage with the DA on the issues. Key points of contention include the National Health Insurance bill, which seeks to provide universal healthcare, and a new land expropriation law signed by Ramaphosa, which the DA deems unconstitutional. Meanwhile, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), another coalition partner, has also voiced concerns with the expropriation bill, signaling growing tensions within the unity government over its transformative policies.
Source: Reuters