Overlooked Ultimatum: DA Withdraws from National Dialogue and Plans to Contest Specific Department Budgets
Johannesburg – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has declared its departure from the National Dialogue and intends to oppose departmental budgets for “corrupt African National Congress (ANC) Ministers.
On Thursday, tensions within the Government of National Unity heightened as President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed deputy minister Andrew Whitfield, a DA MP.
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In light of this decision, DA leader John Steenhuisen, who also holds the agriculture minister position, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to President Ramaphosa to “act against corruption within his ranks.”
The ultimatum lapsed without any response.
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After Ramaphosa’s dismissal of the 48-hour ultimatum to confront corruption, the DA disclosed its choices on Saturday, June 28, 2025.
Steenhuisen remarked, “Ramaphosa has now ignored the 48-hour ultimatum issued by his principal coalition partner regarding addressing corruption in his administration.
“This was a clear opportunity to demonstrate that consistent and fair action would be taken.”
He claimed that the President’s inaction against corruption in his own administration “risks validating that his often-voiced commitment to clean governance is simply a facade.”
“Until he translates words into action against corruption among his officials, the DA sees no merit in continuing futile discussions with the ANC,” Steenhuisen stated.
“Consequently, the Federal Executive of the DA has decided to withdraw from the National Dialogue immediately.”
Steenhuisen added, “We will also actively campaign against this waste of R740 million, calling on civil society to join us in demanding that the National Dialogue be halted until President Ramaphosa removes ANC members accused of corruption and other misconduct from the executive.”
He highlighted that a second “crucially important step” is that the DA plans to oppose the upcoming departmental budget votes for the departments led by Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, and other ANC ministers facing corruption allegations.
Simelane was reassigned from the Justice Ministry after admitting to taking a loan from an individual connected to the VBS looting.
Nkabane has encountered controversy over her appointment of politically connected individuals to the Education SETA board, although she has since rescinded those appointments.
Meanwhile, Whitfield acknowledged wrongdoing for traveling abroad without the President’s approval, as required by protocols.
“We will continue to oppose those departmental votes until those Ministers are removed,” Steenhuisen declared.
“This strategy enables the broader GNU budget process to proceed, safeguarding the nation’s stability, while prompting the ANC to take action against specific Ministers.
“If the ANC seeks our support for those departmental budgets, they must replace the current Ministers with individuals who meet the standards the President has established following Whitfield’s dismissal.
“The Federal Executive also contemplated presenting a Motion of No Confidence in the President.”
However, under the constitution, the authority to appoint or remove ministers solely rests with the President.