South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has accused Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen of attempting to establish a “parallel government,” a claim that has intensified tensions within the coalition formed just weeks ago.
The allegation, made in a letter dated June 25, has unsettled financial markets and added strain to the already fragile partnership between Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC) and the DA.
Following the ANC’s failure to secure a majority in the recent elections, the DA agreed to form a unity government, allowing Ramaphosa to remain in power in exchange for cabinet positions.
However, disputes over the allocation of these posts have surfaced, with the DA demanding more positions than initially offered, leading to accusations of “moving the goalposts” by Ramaphosa.
The president’s letter also criticized DA’s federal chairperson, Helen Zille, for making demands deemed “offensive and condescending.”
Additionally, there are reports that Ramaphosa reneged on a promise to assign the Trade and Industry Ministry to the DA, further straining relations.
The coalition’s instability has sparked concerns about its viability, especially given the ANC’s historic loss of its parliamentary majority. The potential collapse of the agreement has caused the rand to plunge against the dollar, reflecting the business sector’s anxiety over South Africa’s political future.
