Ramaphosa Hints At Da Exit From Gnu In Anc Caucus Meeting: Report

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly told the African National Congress ANC caucus in Parliament that the Democratic Alliance DA has defined itself out of the government of national unity GNU.

This follows a failure by the ANC and DA, the two largest parties in the GNU, to reach a budget deal.

Three publications - News24 , TimesLIVE and EWN - have reported on a leaked audio of Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile addressing the ANC caucus on Tuesday night 1 April.

According to the reports, Ramaphosa said he told DA leader John Steenhuisen that the DA had hit a brick wall and it was up to them to find a way out of the GNU.

"In the end, I think this may well be a point where it is the end of their participation in the GNU because they are defining themselves out of the GNU and it will be clear tomorrow what decision they take, he reportedly said.

On Wednesday afternoon, the National Assembly was set to vote on the budget report adopted by the standing committee on finance on Tuesday.

It includes recommendations proposed by ActionSA to do away with the mooted value added tax VAT increase and address the budgets failure to adjust income tax brackets in line with inflation.

The DA voted against the report in the committee along with uMkhonto weSizwe Party and Economic Freedom Fighters. It is similarly expected to vote against it in the National Assembly.

Ramaphosa criticised the DA for wanting to be in government and opposition at the same time, adding, You added insult upon insult towards the ANC. You cant have your cake and eat it.

At a media briefing on Tuesday, ANC Secretary-General also hinted that the GNU may be reconfigured.