The Government of National Unity (GNU) faces fresh cracks as the Patriotic Alliance (PA) threatens to pull out unless its deputy president, Kenny Kunene, is reinstated in the City of Johannesburg....Click to Read More >>➤
PA Issues Ultimatum Over Kenny Kunene
PA leader Gayton McKenzie says the party is prepared to lose its ministerial post in the GNU if Kunene is not reinstated. Kunene resigned after being found at the Sandton residence of murder-accused Katiso KT Molefe, but the PA has since cleared him.
“If our call is not heeded by Monday, our relationship with the ANC is done, and we will pull out of any arrangement next week,” McKenzie warned, adding that the PA is even willing to form a coalition with the DA if necessary.
Coalition Tensions Rise Ahead of 2026 Elections
The 10-party GNU was formed after the 2024 general elections produced no outright winner, leading analysts to predict a future dominated by coalitions. However, unity within the GNU has been repeatedly tested, with the ANC and DA clashing on key issues in recent months.
Political analyst Dr. Levy Ndou says such tensions are common in coalition governments, especially as parties seek to assert relevance ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
“Parties in coalitions often push their demands to the limit,” Ndou explains. “It puts their partners in a corner, and if demands are not met, they threaten to walk away. Unfortunately, this is often done at the expense of the electorate.”
Future of the GNU in Question
Ndou believes the PA’s threats highlight the need for clear rules in coalition governance to prevent disruptions in local government.
“As we move into a future of coalition politics, mechanisms must be developed to manage disputes without destabilizing governance,” he said.
With the PA threatening to exit by next week if its demands are ignored, the stability of the GNU—and its ability to serve South Africans effectively—remains uncertain. ...Click to Read More >>➤
