- ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula fired back at Helen Zille’s critiques, dismissing her comments as misleading and urging the DA to leave the Government of National Unity (GNU) if dissatisfied.
- Mbalula refuted Zille’s claims of business pressure on the DA to support Ramaphosa, affirming the ANC’s historical legitimacy and leadership mandate from the people.
- He accused Zille of divisive, racially charged politics aimed at destabilizing the ANC, countering that the party’s role in public-private partnerships predates DA involvement.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula launched a strong counterattack against Helen Zille, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Federal Council Chairperson, following her ongoing criticism of the ANC, the Government of National Unity (GNU), and President Cyril Ramaphosa. Responding to Zille’s recent claims that major businesses allegedly asked the DA to protect Ramaphosa from opposition, Mbalula stated that the DA was free to leave the GNU if they disagreed with its direction.
“If the DA wants to leave the GNU, they can leave tonight or tomorrow,” Mbalula asserted, describing Zille’s remarks as “false” and “misleading.” He accused her of trying to delegitimize the ANC’s leadership while seeking to amplify the DA’s role within the unity government, despite the DA’s lack of historical roots in the country’s liberation efforts.
Addressing Zille’s assertions about business influence in the ANC, Mbalula refuted her claims as historically flawed. He emphasized that the ANC’s leadership in South Africa, including its internal unity and mandate, is grounded in public support. Mbalula further criticized Zille’s suggestions that the ANC had premeditated the GNU’s formation, saying that such comments distort the historical context of the ANC’s contributions.
Broadening his critique, Mbalula pointed out that the ANC pioneered public-private partnerships (PPPs), with initiatives such as the Gautrain and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, predating DA claims of introducing these collaborations. He accused Zille of exploiting racial and identity politics to undermine the ANC, asserting, “Her attempts to weaken the ANC from within will not succeed.” Mbalula maintained that the ANC’s role remains vital to genuine national unity and South Africa’s progress.