The Gauteng High Court has dismissed the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) bid to overturn the ANC’s cadre deployment policy, reaffirming a lower court’s ruling that the practice does not inherently violate the Constitution.
In a judgment delivered by Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba, the court found the DA’s arguments “speculative,” stating that while political parties may influence state appointments, this alone does not render the policy unlawful. The court emphasized that only proven abuse of the system—not its existence—would make it unconstitutional.
The DA had argued that the ANC’s cadre deployment undermines merit-based public service appointments and fosters corruption, citing the Zondo Commission’s findings linking the policy to state capture. However, the court ruled that the DA failed to provide sufficient evidence that the policy itself breaches constitutional principles.
DA’s appeal on cadre deployment policy dismissed
On May 7, 2025, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria dismissed the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) attempt to appeal a prior ruling that upheld the legality of the ANC’s cadre deployment policy.
The court reaffirmed its February 2024… pic.twitter.com/gtbiS57edn
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) May 7, 2025
ANC Hails Victory, DA Vows Appeal
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri celebrated the ruling, calling it a “victory for democratic practices,” affirming the party’s right to deploy cadres to implement its electoral mandate.
DA leader John Steenhuisen, however, condemned the decision, vowing to escalate the matter to the Constitutional Court. “Cadre deployment is the engine of state capture,” he said. “This fight is far from over.”
Political Repercussions
The ruling deals a significant setback to the DA’s anti-corruption agenda, which has long targeted the ANC’s deployment strategy as a root cause of governance failures. With elections looming, the judgment reignites debate over political interference in state institutions.
Legal experts suggest the DA faces an uphill battle in the Constitutional Court unless it presents stronger evidence of systemic abuse. Meanwhile, civil society groups warn that without stricter safeguards, cadre deployment will continue enabling patronage networks.
As South Africa grapples with the legacy of state capture, this legal battle underscores the tension between party-political influence and a neutral, capable public administration. The DA’s next move could determine whether the courts impose new limits on political appointments—or leave the system unchanged.