DA’s exit from National Dialogue ‘political point-scoring,’ and undermines the GNU, Says SACP

The attitude of the DA of withdrawal from the upcoming National Dialogue is part of its general strategy to “weaponise” government processes and its membership of the GNU to score political points for its own benefit. 

This is according to the South African Communist Party that noted the challenges between the ANC and the DA as key role players in the GNU with concern.

“Although the position of the SACP towards the current configuration of the GNU has consistently been that of principled criticism, it is still our view that political instability in the working of government is undesirable and does not serve in any way the citizens of the country that await leadership and services from government,” SACP spokesperson Mbulelo Mandlana told IOL News.

Mandlana said the SACP believes that a sustainable political solution must be found for a stable political environment. 

SACP’s general secretary Solly Mapaila has been a vocal critic of the GNU, which includes the DA, arguing that it does not represent the interests of black people.

After its long criticism, the SACP has since announced that it will contest the upcoming 2026 local government elections independently, but not leaving the tripartite alliance would the ANC and COSATU.

However, the ANC has pushed back against this move.

“For the SACP the alliance political platform remains the most suitable mechanism to unpack the challenges in the GNU and build a shared strategy and lasting solutions to the challenges facing the government,” Mandlana said.

 “The South African revolution can ill-afford a continued instability or appearance of instability in its government administration.”

This comes after the DA recently announced its withdrawal from the National Dialogue, just days after President Cyril Ramaphosa fired former deputy minister Andrew Whitfield, for travelling to the US without the president's permission.

IOL News previously reported that former President Mbeki, in a 10 page open letter, criticised the DA for its decision to withdraw from the upcoming National Dialogue, calling the move “misplaced and very strange”, and accused the DA of acting “against its own very direct interests.”

However, DA leader John Steenhuisen has hit back at Mbeki's criticism, saying that the party would not participate in what he described as "another expensive talk shop" that would do nothing to improve people’s lives.

“You sought my indulgence and now I must ask that you commit time for me to explain the DA's decision to stay away from yet another enormously expensive process that will predictably involve a lot of talking, but do nothing to advance open, transparent and corruption-free governance that South Africans so desperately desire,” Steenhuisen said.

Steenhuisen also pointed out what he called a “double standard” in how ANC ministers have been treated compared to the DA’s deputy minister, Whitfield.

He also criticised the dialogue’s timing and origins, pointing out that Mbeki only called for it after the ANC’s poor showing in recent elections. Suggesting it was a political move to regain lost support.

Asked about the DA’s stance, Mandlana said the SACP is also concerned about the recent changes to the National Dialogue, including Mbeki’s withdrawal from the preparatory process.

“We believe these changes will not serve the objective of a truly transformational, inclusive and effective dialogue that leads to change instead it is a recipe for a government inclined process with bureaucratic characteristics with no popular and people centred outcomes.”

Mandlana said the DA’s actions reflect a broader political strategy.

“The attitude of the DA towards the National Dialogue, including its threat of withdrawal from it, are part of its general strategy to weaponise government processes and its membership of the GNU to score political points for its own benefit with little to no regard for the consequences of its actions the people of South Africa,” he told IOL News. 

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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