ANC SPLIT OVER DA'S GNU FUTURE

Tensions flare within ruling party as leaders clash over the future of their coalition government

- MASHUDU SADIKE

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy Paul Mashatile were apparently divided on whether or not to keep the current Government of National Unity (GNU) which consists of the DA and the Freedom Front Plus.

An ANC member who also attended the party's National Working Committee (NWC) meeting on Monday said the tensions within the organisation reached a boiling point when Ramaphosa and Mashatile apparently "clashed" over the party's stance on the DA in the GNU.

"Mashatile wants the ANC to move on and form a coalition with other parties that could form another GNU. This would mean a cabinet reshuffle which would have to be implemented by Ramaphosa who is against it," the source said.

Mashatile has been vocal about his disapproval of the DA's actions, stating that their decision to oppose the budget was a clear indication that they were "defining themselves outside the GNU".