The country burns amid the factionalism and politicking

There is no doubt the DA – with its efficiency and energy – has been making the ANC in government look better than it has in a while.

Ironically, however, the DA – thanks to its forceful attitude in the government of national unity (GNU) – has done much to unite the squabbling factions within the ANC.

Last week, the parliamentary caucus of the ANC was more united than for some time … around the desire to boot the DA out of the GNU.

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MPs who may have formerly considered themselves opponents and who would have put their faction first, came together to pressure President Cyril Ramaphosa and the senior hierarchy to ditch the DA and recruit smaller parties to replace it in the GNU.

There is increasing disquiet – swelling into anger among the more hot-headed ANC MPs – about the perception that the DA wants to have its political cake and eat it, by being part of the GNU but still a vociferous opposition at the same time.

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The feeling among many in the ANC is that Ramaphosa and the party leadership have allowed the DA to get away with metaphorical murder by pushing back on policies, from the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill to the Expropriation Act, and trying to blackmail the ANC to roll back on these in return for its support on the budget.

The DA, naturally, denies this assessment… but that does not make the belief in it in ANC ranks any less serious.

Layered on top of that is the jockeying for positions in ANC ranks ahead of its elective conference in 2027, with analysts and insiders believing Deputy President Paul Mashatile – no fan of the DA at the best of times – using the issue to push his own leadership agenda.

Meanwhile, amid the factionalism and politicking, the country burns.

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