Helen Zille, chairperson of the DA’s federal council, announced on Tuesday that her party and its allies have secured enough support in Parliament to remove the current government. The claim comes as political tensions rise following the formation of a minority government after no party won a majority in the 2024 elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Parliament, Zille said the DA and its coalition partners have been negotiating with smaller parties and independent MPs to gather the votes needed for a motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration. “We have done the calculations and believe this government no longer has majority support,” Zille said. “South Africans deserve stability, and we are ready to lead that change.”
The DA’s move follows weeks of talks with parties like the IFP and FF+, as well as independent lawmakers. While the exact numbers remain private, analysts say the opposition may be close to reaching the 201 votes required to unseat the government.
The ANC, which holds the most seats but failed to secure a majority, rejected Zille’s announcement as a political stunt. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula accused the DA of trying to create instability, saying, “The ANC remains focused on national unity and won’t be distracted by these tactics.”
If successful, the motion could trigger new coalition talks or even an early election. The political uncertainty has already affected market confidence, with the rand dipping slightly after Zille’s statement.
All attention now turns to Parliament to see whether the opposition can indeed rally enough support for what could be a decisive vote in South Africa’s political future.