ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove all DA ministers from the GNU. Image credit X
The ANC Youth League has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove DA ministers from the Government of National Unity immediately. League president Collen Malatji made the demand on Thursday. On the same day, the ANC won its Constitutional Court battle over its election candidates.
Malatji spoke at a media briefing at Luthuli House. He said the league wants the President to remove all DA ministers from the GNU right away. He also shared the call in a video on his X account. In addition, he urged the ANC to reopen talks with other parties about the future of the government.
Why the ANCYL wants to remove DA ministers
The demand follows a bitter legal fight over the ANC’s candidate lists. Earlier this year, the ANC failed to complete the final step on the IEC’s online nomination system. As a result, the IEC left about 181 ANC candidates off the ballot. These candidates come from six municipalities and hope to stand in the 4 November elections.
The ANC took the matter to court, and the DA opposed the appeal. The DA argued that the ANC had not completed the nomination process. However, a majority of the Constitutional Court ruled in the ANC’s favour on Thursday. The court will give its reasons later.
Malatji also turned his attention to the EFF. According to SABC News, he said the EFF should start warming up and behave if it wants a place in government. However, nobody has reported any talks between the ANC and the EFF.
The Youth League is not alone in questioning the DA’s place in government. Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has already called for a review of the DA’s role in the GNU. He argued that the DA’s stance in court clashes with the commitments that founded the GNU.
The DA, for its part, says it respects the Constitutional Court’s ruling. It also rejected the idea that being in the GNU means it must agree with the ANC on everything. Furthermore, the party said it will not simply cooperate just to keep the peace. According to the DA, its legal position was about the rules for nominations. It said it never tried to stop citizens from voting.
Tensions inside the GNU have flared before. In June, Ramaphosa removed two DA deputy ministers in a reshuffle. Even so, the DA has remained in the government since then.
For now, the Youth League’s call remains a demand, not a decision. Ramaphosa has not announced any changes to his Cabinet. He has also not responded publicly to Malatji.
Meanwhile, commentary across social media platforms remains divided. Some users back the Youth League. They say the DA cannot fight the ANC in court while serving in its government. Others warn that pushing the DA out could shake investor confidence. They also fear it could leave the ANC relying on the EFF.