A major political crisis is threatening South Africa’s Government of National Unity as the Democratic Alliance (DA) issued a 48-hour ultimatum yesterday to President Cyril Ramaphosa following the sudden dismissal of Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield. The move has created significant tension within the coalition government formed after last year’s elections.
DA leader John Steenhuisen announced the ultimatum during a parliamentary session yesterday, demanding that Ramaphosa fire several ANC ministers allegedly implicated in corruption or face “grave consequences”.
According to Steenhuisen, President Ramaphosa informed him this week of his intention to remove Andrew Whitfield from his position as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. Despite Steenhuisen requesting 24-hours to discuss the matter with Whitfield and party leadership, Whitfield reportedly received his dismissal letter just three hours later.
The President’s office cited Whitfield’s unauthorized international travel earlier this year as the reason for his removal. However, Steenhuisen disputes this, claiming that Whitfield had properly followed protocol.
“In fact, on 12 February, Whitfield had written to the President requesting permission to travel to the United States, as required by the Ministerial Handbook,” Steenhuisen stated. “Ten days later, he had still not received any response from the presidency, and departed on the trip.”
Steenhuisen added that Whitfield subsequently apologized to the President if his actions had caused offense, but again received no response until yesterday’s abrupt dismissal.
Allegations of double standards
The DA leader’s speech highlighted what he described as “flagrant double standards” in the President’s decision-making process. He pointed to several ANC ministers who remain in cabinet despite serious allegations against them:
“While a DA Deputy Minister is removed for not getting a response to seeking permission to travel, Thembi Simelane remains in Cabinet despite being implicated in the VBS looting. Nobuhle Nkabane remains in Cabinet despite apparently misleading Parliament over an attempt to deploy corrupt cadres to SETA boards,” Steenhuisen said.
He specifically mentioned Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo, who was implicated in “the most serious corruption by the state capture commission,” yet continues to serve in government.
The DA has suggested that Whitfield’s dismissal might be motivated by his effectiveness in combating corruption within his department. According to Steenhuisen, Whitfield had “opposed an attempt to make suspect appointments” and “was standing in the way of the looting that will follow from the Transformation Fund” within a department already facing corruption allegations related to the National Lottery tender.
“One is left with no choice but to conclude that hardworking DA Members of the Executive are now being fired for fighting corruption, not for committing corruption,” Steenhuisen asserted.
The ultimatum
In response to Whitfield’s dismissal, the DA has given President Ramaphosa 48-hours to fire Simelane, Nkabane, Mahlobo, and other ANC ministers allegedly implicated in corruption.
“Should the ANC fail to meet our ultimatum, all bets are off and the consequences will be theirs to bear,” Steenhuisen warned, suggesting potential withdrawal from the coalition government.
Political analysts note that this confrontation represents the most serious test yet for South Africa’s Government of National Unity, which was formed after the 2024 elections when no party secured an outright majority.
The DA, as the second-largest party in the coalition, has been a crucial partner in maintaining government stability. Their potential withdrawal could trigger a governmental crisis and possibly lead to new elections.
Despite the tension, Steenhuisen emphasized that the DA would vote for the Division of Revenue Act (DORA) in yesterday’s parliamentary session, stating: “We will vote for DORA today not for politics, but for South Africa.”
The Presidency has yet to issue a formal response to the DA’s ultimatum
