ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has again publicly criticised the DA, accusing the party of working to reverse the “gains of freedom” by challenging various legislation in court.

The ANC and DA are part of the Government of National Unity (GNU), which was formed after the 2024 elections following both parties failing to win an outright majority. 

Despite their partnership, both parties have had public disagreements on several issues, including policy and legislation. 

The DA’s challenges to the laws are seen as an attempt to protect the rights of minority groups and individuals, while the ANC views them as an attempt to reverse the gains of freedom.

The DA has challenged several laws, including the Employment Equity Amendment Act, the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (Bela), and the Expropriation Act.

The party has recently won a Value Added Tax (VAT) battle against the ANC after they took the party to court following the tabling of the February Budget by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.

Currently, in another pending case, the DA has hauled the ANC to court over the amendments to the Employment Equity Act (EEA). 

Speaking during the Duma Nokwe Memorial Lecture on Tuesday, Mbalula said that those who have taken the ANC to court were working “overtime” to reverse the gains of freedom. 

“It is clear, comrades, to us as the ANC, that the only way to overcome this strategic setback is to win the elections with an outright majority,” Mbalula said. 

He emphasised the need for the ANC to win the 2026 local government elections to mitigate policy differences within the GNU.

Mbalula also emphasised the need for the ANC to get its house in order by committing to its renewal agenda. 

“Nokwe gives us a chance to reflect and correct ourselves. This process of self-correction is carried out through organisational renewal and rebuilding. We must acknowledge our mistakes and take steps to fix them,” he said.

Mbalula also spoke about the need for the revised Budget to reflect transformation policies.

 “Radical socioeconomic transformation must and will happen in our lifetime. It is our contention as the ANC that the national Budget must reflect a growth path that would ensure adequate absorption of the unemployed through economic opportunities for entrepreneurs and expansion of existing businesses,” he said.

On May 21 Godongwana is expected to make a third attempt at tabling the Budget.

Both DA national spokespeople Karabo Khakhau and Willie Aucamp did not respond to a request for comment in response to Mbalula’s claims.

However DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille had previously responded to Mbalula’s public comments, saying she did not think it was helpful to engage in a public debate on the issues. 

“I don’t think it’s helpful to have public slanging matches. We have each other’s phone numbers if we need to say anything,” Zille said.

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za

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