One of the most talked-about scenarios throughout South Africa is the prospect of the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) forming a coalition.
The union between two such political entities, with such fundamental differences in ideologies (specifically how they practice economics and govern), is one that could threaten to destabilize the nation.
The ANC has a strong historical base in the battle against apartheid, while the DA is seen as portraying a more liberal, market-driven ethos. Given the ideological divide, it is unclear whether a coalition government would be able to function coherently, therefore preventing the efficient delivery of governance and policy.
Paul Mashatile, a powerful ANC leader, has added to the growing political tension by stating his support for Ramaphosa.
The DA filed criminal charges against Mashatile earlier this year over a litany of corruption allegations with considerable evidence to indicate abuse of power and public funds. They involve an assortment of serious claims of wrongdoing, such as nepotism, from which it is alleged the family of stands to benefit from government tenders and purchases at the behest of Mashatile.
One of the biggest accusations is that he bought a R28. The source of funds for the purchase of a R9 million mansion in Constantia by Mashatile’s son-in-law, allegedly with monies due to the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements from a failed housing project.
Alleged corruption by Mashatile goes a lot deeper. He is alleged to have engaged in a massive corruption spree that makes the infamous state capture under his predecessor Jacob Zuma blush.
According to reports by the DA, Mashatile has been in the centre of multiple crooked deals, including illegal uses of public money and dodgy methods which have been used to acquire luxury properties. According to the DA, these activities were conducted with such a level of disregard that the DA has called on him to be fired immediately from the government and a SIU investigation into his behaviour.
Given these problems, the concept of having an alliance is made even more complex. With the ANC and DA having very different styles of leadership and the current corruption scandal that is engulfing the former, a merger could turn be a bumpy ride. The possible coalition would likely serve to compound existing leadership disputes and undermine the administrative coherence needed to govern effectively.
To sum up, the promised ANC-DA alliance is far from a panacea. The ideological differences between the two parties, not to mention all the problems we are having including the Paul Mashatile saga, suggest a period of problematic governance.
This is a time for us all to handle the issue with care as the stability and integrity of political South Africa lies in the balance. The contours of how this unfolds are critical in shaping which way the country turns as it enters the throes of a tumultuous political reality.
Source: Jonathan Akamba/ Political Analyst
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