GNU partnership in sharp focus following ANC candidate list dispute

The DA-ANC GNU partnership has come in sharp focus following the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s participation as the second respondent in the Constitutional Court matter between the ANC and the IEC.

The DA says the Constitutional Court’s ruling allowing the ANC to submit candidate lists in six municipalities will not change the party’s declining electoral fortunes.

DA Federal Council Chairperson Ashor Sarupen says the judgment raises concerns about the precedent it sets for compliance with the IEC’s deadlines and requirements.

The party says it respects the rule of law and the court’s decision but maintains that the equal application of the law must be upheld.

“The judgement raises serious concerns about the precedent it sets for complying with the IEC’s deadlines and requirements, as the courts have held that strict mechanical compliance applies to deadlines in every matter up to now. The ANC has now succeeded in court to undoing their own failure to submit candidate lists in six municipalities. However, this will not change their electoral fortunes,” says Sarupen.

He has described the ANC as being in “terminal decline”.

“The ANC is in terminal decline, and across South Africa. Its support is at record lows. We note Fikile Mbalula’s threats about the GNU (Government of National Unity). The reality is that the DA is not in the GNU to get along, and we will vigorously defend the rule of law and the equal application of the law,” adds Sarupen.

ConCourt rules in favour of ANC in case against IEC:

His GNU comments come after Mbalula said the party would review its relationship with the DA in the GNU.

The DA was the second respondent in the ConCourt application.

Mbalula questioned the DA’s decision to oppose the ANC’s court bid, arguing that parties in the GNU are bound by a commitment to uphold the country’s constitutional framework. He says the review is not intended as blackmail, but reflects serious questions about the future of the ANC-DA relationship in government.

“There are matters, comrades, that this movement will now have to sit down and discuss. And one of those matters is our partners in the Government of National Unity and that is the DA. We must review the DA in the Government of National Unity,” said Mbalula.

Analysis of the Constitutional Court ruling in favour of the ANC: