GNU collapse will cost the country: Analyst

Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town, Dr Vinothan Naidoo says the collapse of Government of National Unity would come at a cost to the country.

The ANC is under pressure in the GNU to decide whether to abandon the proposed VAT increase or reconsider the structure of the multi-party pact.

An ANC delegation has concluded talks with various political parties within and outside the GNU but no deal has been reached.

Naidoo says, “There have been several embarrassing policy skirmishes which have the GNU back, set its programme of priorities back. The NHI, the BELA Bill, Land expropriation all of which culminating in the budget debacle. That was really the culmination of several of these so-called policy skirmishes which have happened within three months or so from the inception of the GNU and one of the concerns was whether this was the tipping point for an arrangement, a partnership which was starting to fray.

DA’s Legal Challenge | Godongwana defends VAT hike

Dr Naidoo says the GNU without the DA would be as dysfunctional as coalitions at local government level.

“If the GNU is in peril, it is only in peril to the extent that it is configured in the way that it is now. The idea of the GNU doesn’t necessarily have to end, but its composition and membership could very well change. There is a very clear wedge between the ANC and the DA. The termination of that partnership and a reconfiguration of the GNU with the ANC and a host of smaller parties, is much more unstable. The advantage of having the DA as a partner is that if you combine the ANC and the DA share, it is comfortably in the majority.”

🚨 Set a reminder! The DA’s VAT hike court case will be heard tomorrow. Tune in at 8h00 as the DA leadership addresses supporters and the media outside the Western Cape High Court ahead of the hearing.

Watch it live on the DA’s Facebook and YouTube pages: pic.twitter.com/o4WEfBddRS

— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) April 21, 2025