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The Democratic Alliance (DA) has ended its protest against the African National Congress’s (ANC) budget in Parliament following the firing of what it terms ‘a compromised’ Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane.
The DA is pleased with the actions of President Cyril Ramaphosa for sacking Nkabane. According to the DA Leader John Steenhuisen, the firing of the minister came after relentless pressure from the DA in Parliament. He says the decision by Ramaphosa is a crucial first step in holding compromised Ministers accountable.
Steenhuisen says while it was long overdue, the removal of Minister Nkabane confirms that pressure from the DA within the Government of National Unity (GNU) is yielding results.
“The DA acted in the national interest when we passed the Division of Revenue Bill to enable provinces and municipalities to continue to receive funding, and we will now pass the Appropriation Bill in the national interest following the President’s actions.
However, the DA will not allow compromised individuals in the Executive to paralyse government or harm the people of this country,” said John Steenhuisen.
“We had earlier announced our intention to withhold support for the budgets of Ministers implicated in wrongdoing unless dismissals occurred, and we also laid fraud charges against Minister Nkabane and submitted a complaint to the Parliamentary Ethics Committee. These were not symbolic actions, they were principled stands backed by real consequence, and we will see these actions through to its conclusion.
We now welcome the President’s decision to act against her. But this must be the beginning, not the end. There are still individuals in the Executive facing serious allegations. If the President is serious about restoring public trust, he must act decisively and consistently, not only when under pressure,” he continued.
The power struggle between the ANC and DA however still remains, the DA Leader took the opportunity to call their GNU partner out, saying they must accept the fact that they no longer govern alone. He said in a coalition, meaningful consultation with partners is not optional. It is essential to rebuild public confidence and ensure accountable governance.
“We will continue to engage the GNU parties in good faith to stop corruption and drive delivery in government,” said Steenhuisen.
“The DA will continue to lead the fight against corruption from within the GNU.
We will use every tool at our disposal in Parliament and in government to protect public money, defend the Constitution, and ensure that ethical, accountable leadership becomes the norm, and that this dismissal is not the exception, so that public get what they voted for: reforms that deliver for our citizens, and clean, accountable government,” affirmed DA Leader John Steenhuisen.
