Will the GNU miss Gayton, the PA?

The time has come for the inevitable government of national unity (GNU) showdown and, surprisingly, it’s not going to involve the DA. They love running to court anyway. This one is all about a political standoff but one with no real negative consequences.

- RICHARD CHEMALY

If the Patriotic Alliance (PA) segregates from the GNU, not only will the GNU still enjoy a significant majority, but still enjoy one that surpasses the two-thirds majority to amend the constitution. So politically, the PA's threat of leaving the GNU is negligible. But that’s not the reason they’re prepping their outs. This is a matter of principle.

How dare a mayor execute his prerogative and expect more experience from a municipal executive and how dare a political ally not abide the finding of a different party’s internal investigation? It seems questionable that with all the power for change, the top patriot is flouting his ministerial position, not getting his boy into the pound seat would be a reason to step down.

It’s all political play and it’s not like he hasn't been a benefactor of it in the first place. Remember when the GNU was just supposed to be the ANC, DA and maybe a few others before Gwede Mantashe so brilliantly blindsided Helen Zille and sent a semi-open invitation to the GNU?