The ongoing tensions within SA's Government of National Unity (GNU) have reached boiling point, with Basic Education Minister and DA member Siviwe Gwarube at the centre of the storm over the controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment (Bela Bill).
The two leading parties, the ANC and the DA are again engaged in a public spat with speculation from experts that the GNU would not last to next year.
Tensions simmered on Sunday after newspaper reports suggested that President Cyril Ramaphosa was under intense pressure from within his ANC to fire Gwarube who – in accordance with her party position - is openly opposed to the implementation of the Bela Act.
Reacting to the media reports, DA leader John Steenhuisen insisted that firing Gwarube or any other DA minister “for doing their jobs” would not be tolerated.
“Doing so would signal an end to the Government of National Unity (GNU),” said Steenhuisen in a statement.
He said there is ongoing misinformation around the consultation process which has been taking place since Ramaphosa signed the Bela Act into law nearly three months ago, withholding clauses 4 and 5, to allow for further consultation from concerned parties.
“These consultations are ongoing through the clearing house mechanism within the GNU. During this time, the minister has met with members from Solidarity, and the Presidency, at Nedlac (National Economic Development and Labour Council) after a dispute was lodged by the union,” said Steenhuisen.
“This process is entirely separate from the consultation process, and conflating the two is misleading, and factually incorrect. This was a mandatory process, in terms of the law, to prevent strike action arising out of the dispute.
The outcome of this engagement was a settlement, signed by the Minister of Basic Education, the Presidency, and the union.”
Steenhuisen accused Ramaphosa of seeking to backtrack from the Nedlac engagements which it is party to.
“The fact that the Presidency has now distanced itself from this legislated process, which they were party to, is as disgraceful, as it is confusing,” said Steenhuisen.
“As leader of the DA I would like to make this point loud and clear. We support the process followed by the minister, as she was fulfilling her legally obligated responsibilities, and respect the outcome of the negotiations at Nedlac.
“We have been clear since the outset. We are in government to bring about positive change, including inclusive economic growth, and jobs, and at all times we are guided by the rule of law, and the Constitution of South Africa. Anything to the contrary will not be tolerated,” Steenhuisen warned.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya did not respond to questions before going to print.
Speaking to The Star, political analyst Sandile Swana raised serious concerns about Gwarube's approach to dispute resolution and her recent actions regarding negotiations at the Nedlac.
Swana's critique highlighted Gwarube's decision to engage in discussions at Nedlac that he argues are outside its purview, ignoring established dispute resolution frameworks both within the cabinet and within the GNU itself.
"Her behaviour is irregular," Swana asserts, pointing out that Gwarube's pre-emptive announcement regarding her resolution of issues with Union Solidariteit not only overlooked larger unions but also stemmed from a failure to involve significant stakeholders in the basic education sector.
The analyst further underscores that Gwarube had previously defied the president by not attending the signing of the GNU, signalling a troubling blend of party politics with her role as a state minister.
"Once you become a cabinet minister, you must recognise that certain duties transcend party lines," Swana articulates.
The conflation of the DA's interests with the responsibilities of Gwarube's position is seen as a significant hindrance to effective governance.
Commenting on the stability of the GNU itself, Swana provides a bold prediction that it will endure at least until the end of the year. However, this stability is not a reflection of inherent strength among its constituents. Instead, it is driven by an intricate relationship with big business interests through BLSA, which Swana suggests has pushed the GNU as the "grand condition that must run SA."
"The ANC under Ramaphosa is not tied to the DA by shared goals or historical principles," he states.
"Instead, it is the necessity of collaboration with corporate power that maintains this coalition."
Swana goes on to note that unless the ANC were to recall Ramaphosa, the GNU was positioned to last a further five years.
The Star