ANC/DA clash: a pivotal moment in SA politics

THE DA is starting to remind me of that school bully who demands protection money. And, this time, they're not getting any, so battle lines are dawn. Their latest salvo is their criminal charges against Higher Education Minister, Nobuhle Nkabane, ostensibly for misleading Parliament over what was meant to be the appointment of an independent panel. The DA claims she lied and appointed ANC cadres instead.

- ZOHRA TEKE

But the hornet’s nest was really triggered by the president’s axing of the DA's deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Andrew Whitfield. The DA has been having a meltdown ever since, with Helen Zille threatening to unleash a ‘nuclear option’ - a DA vote of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Protection of Ramaphosa against such a vote in return for the protection of DA interests in the GNU has long been the expectation on both sides when they entered GNU. But, tensions have been simmering for a while between the two parties, despite efforts on both sides to keep the GNU together, in spite of the squabbles and power struggles to captain the GNU ship. Throw in an iceberg and it’s the perfect battle for survival.

There’s no question that the DA's case has merit. Nkabane has been in their crosshairs for a while. The public’s wrath over her lack of professionalism when she comfortably chewed gum before a portfolio committee does not help her image. The latest debacle over her questionable appointments and the ANC's silence does make it look like cadre protection - and the DA is going full throttle.