Is the GNU on the Brink of Collapse? DA Stands Firm Against Calls to Fire Minister Gwarube Amid BELA Act Dispute

DA minister of education being sworn in. ANC’s Secret Plot to Axe Minister Gwarube? DA Defends Minister. Image: Ayanda Ndamane, Independent Newspapers

(The Post News)- A statement issued on the 8th of December, 2024 by The Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen firmly opposing efforts by a faction within the African National Congress (ANC) to pressure President Cyril Ramaphosa into firing DA Minister of basic education Siviwe Gwarube or any other DA minister in the Government of National Unity (GNU). The DA warns that such an action would undermine the very essence of the GNU and mark a concerning shift in South Africa’s political landscape.

This comes amid a storm of misinformation surrounding the consultation process linked to the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act. President Ramaphosa signed BELA Act the into law on the 13th of September 2024 withholding contentious clauses 4 and 5 to allow for further consultations that are ongoing through the clearing house mechanism within the GNU.

Minister Gwarube, in her capacity as Basic Education Minister engaged with representatives from the Solidarity union and the Presidency at National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC), to resolve a dispute lodged by the union. The engagement resulted in a settlement agreement, was aimed at preventing potential strike action and was not part of the broader consultation process.

The settlement, signed on November 28, 2024, outlines Minister Gwarube’s exercise of powers and responsibilities under the BELA Act. Steenhuisen defended Minister Gwarube, emphasising that she was acting within the bounds of the law and that the party supports the process followed by the Gwarube. Steenhuisen warned that firing Gwarube or any other DA minister would signal the collapse of the GNU that was formed after the 2024 general elections, relies on collaboration between political parties, including the DA and ANC.

The DA has accused the Presidency of backtracking on its role in the NEDLAC negotiations, calling its distancing from the process “as disgraceful as it is confusing.” The party has expressed concerns that the ANC faction’s attempt to discredit Gwarube is rooted in political opportunism rather than genuine concerns about governance or legal procedure. On the 1st of December President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the settlement between Minister Gwarube and Solidarity but emphasised that the agreement does not override his constitutional authority to make decisions regarding the commencement of the Bela Act.

The DA’s firm stance signals its unwillingness to compromise on constitutional principles or allow political manoeuvring to derail its mission. Whether the GNU can weather these challenges without fracturing remains to be seen, but for now, the DA has made it clear: Minister Gwarube stays.