Fikile Mbalula slams DA’s budget rejection: Arrogant and disrespectful

African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has lashed out at the Democratic Alliance (DA) for voting against the 2025 National Budget, describing the move as “arrogant” and “disrespectful.” His remarks come amid growing tensions within the Government of National Unity (GNU) and uncertainty around the DA’s continued role in the governing coalition.

A Harsh Rebuke

Speaking during the ANC’s smart membership card rollout in Diepsloot on Friday, Mbalula made it clear that the ANC is losing patience with the DA.

“The arrogance of the DA needs to be taken on. They are arrogant, and that’s all I can say. They are arrogant and have no respect,” he said bluntly.

Mbalula accused the DA of acting out of self-interest, saying their opposition to the budget reflects an obsession with political gains rather than national stability.

Fikile Mbalula

“All that matters to them is winning. This is not a time for winning because we all didn’t win in the elections.”

GNU Under Pressure

The DA’s decision to vote against the budget has sparked questions about their future in the GNU, which was formed following the 2024 general elections to bring together parties for cooperative governance. Mbalula noted that by rejecting the budget, the DA has effectively positioned itself outside the unity framework.

“The ball is in the DA’s court. They’ve chosen their path, and they must analyse and decide on the implications,” he said.
“If you say you don’t want a budget at all costs, you walk—and nobody said you must walk. It cannot be our burden. They’ve decided.”

Mbalula argued that the DA’s actions amount to political doublespeak: claiming to support the GNU while undermining its key decisions.

“It is their burden. They must answer for it. If you don’t participate in a process to formulate a budget and the budget passes, what does it mean for you? You can’t have it both ways. But it’s not our burden, it’s theirs.”

Tensions Mount Within the ANC

Reports from IOL News indicate that the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is under pressure to act decisively. Sources have revealed that there is growing frustration within the party, particularly among ANC MPs, about the DA’s stance in Parliament.

The ANC caucus reportedly feels that the DA, while being part of the GNU, is behaving like an opposition party—and that such conduct is unacceptable within the framework of collaborative governance.

“The NEC will decide on what to do with the DA because their behaviour is unacceptable. Some members want the DA out of the GNU,” one source told IOL.

Another insider echoed this view, stating:

“The DA cannot act as an opposition party while in the GNU.”

A special NEC meeting has been scheduled for Monday, where this issue is expected to dominate discussions. One potential outcome could be the removal of DA ministers from cabinet positions if the party is deemed to have acted against the spirit of unity.

DA Holds Firm, Warns of Fallout

In response, DA Federal Chairperson Helen Zille confirmed that the party’s executive met on Thursday to deliberate on the budget vote and the party’s future in the GNU. She emphasized that no final decision has been reached.

Zille, however, issued a stern warning, suggesting that if President Cyril Ramaphosa moves to remove DA ministers from cabinet, the GNU could collapse entirely.

“If Ramaphosa fires the DA ministers, the GNU could collapse,” she cautioned.

The Road Ahead

The fallout from the budget vote represents the most serious challenge yet to the fragile unity government. While the GNU was formed in the spirit of cooperation, the DA’s defiance and the ANC’s growing impatience could signal the beginning of a political rupture.

Whether the DA remains in the GNU—or is forced out—will depend on Monday’s NEC meeting, which now carries significant weight for the future of coalition politics in South Africa.