As South Africa gears up for the 2026 local government elections, tensions are brewing within the ANC-led Government of National Unity (GNU), marking a significant turning point in the fragile coalition.
Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala (ANC) launched a scathing attack on his boss, Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson (DA).
Zikalala, who was demoted to deputy minister after the formation of the GNU, accused Macpherson and the DA of trying to take credit for projects initiated by the previous administration.
“They all speak as if everything is new; it is not in their nature to give credit where it's due,” Zikalala said.
“It is not in their nature to acknowledge work done by others, simply because they are obsessed with claiming easy victories out of desperation to woo South African voters,” he said during the debate.
Zikalala also took a swipe at Macpherson's educational qualifications, accusing him of only having a matric.
“Plagiarism and data protection are not taught at a basic education level yet,” Zikalala said.
Macpherson did not directly respond to Zikalala's attacks, but hinted at sabotage within the department.
“Some in this House want this department to fail… some members in this House seek out paid-for journalists and attempt to spread fake news through AI voice notes and falsified WhatsApps.”
The public spat between Macpherson and Zikalala is just one symptom of the deeper tensions within the GNU, which is struggling to present a united front ahead of the elections, according to analysts.
The DA has threatened to withdraw support for the Budget over disagreements with the ANC on contentious pieces of legislation, including the Expropriation Act and the National Health Insurance (NHI).
The ANC's Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has denied reports that the party has agreed to scrap NHI targets.
Analysts further said that as the elections draw near, the infighting within the GNU was likely to intensify, raising questions about the ability of the coalition to govern effectively.
Political Analyst Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast said the squabbles were a natural phenomenon, especially ahead of next year’s elections.
“We are in the build up to the local government elections so the argument is that the DA might take pride in the fact that it is due to them that services have been rendered but the ANC will also say it's because of them since they are leading the GNU…All political parties are planning in advance to prepare for the local government elections,” he said.
He said personality conflict would always lead to problems in any arrangement.
“It becomes worse when that arrangement is drawn across the political spectrum with people who have different political persuasions.
“The issue is that Zikalala was once a minister, he holds a Masters degree and he would have been involved in the policy development of the land question.
“He takes offence that Macpherson comes into the picture late but has had an issue with the implementation and so he sees that as being disrespectful because he had contributed to the construction of the policy,” Breakfast said.
Political analyst Sandile Swana said the contradicting ideology of GNU partners was bound to create friction.
“I think Ramaphosa assigned Rural Development and Land Reform, led by Mzwanele Nyhontso of the PAC (Pan Africanist Congress) and Public Works to the PAC and the DA intentionally because the DA is going to fight with its own Constituency and the PAC.
“Macpherson must facilitate all expropriations, especially those on farms on behalf of Nyhontso, who appears quiet for now,” he said.
mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za
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