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Ramaphosa Removes DA Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield; DA Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum and Withdraws From National Dialogue

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Published Jul 5, 2025, 02:33 AM

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa removed Andrew Whitfield, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, from his position on June 25, 2025, under Section 93(1) of the Constitution. The Presidency confirmed the dismissal, stating there is no plan for a full cabinet reshuffle. Whitfield's removal has sparked tensions within the Government of National Unity (GNU), with the DA condemning the decision as unjust and alleging it was a punishment for his anti-corruption stance. In response, DA leader John Steenhuisen issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that Ramaphosa remove several African National Congress (ANC) ministers and deputy ministers implicated in corruption.

Following the president's failure to act on this ultimatum, the DA announced its withdrawal from Ramaphosa's National Dialogue initiative, although it will remain part of the GNU. The withdrawal marks a notable escalation in the coalition dispute, intensifying political strain within South Africa's fragile government. The DA has described the National Dialogue as ineffective without their participation, while political analysts note growing divisions between the ANC and DA. The dismissal of Whitfield and subsequent political fallout have dominated South African political discourse since late June 2025.

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#African #Cyril Ramaphosa #Andrew Whitfield #Democratic Alliance #DA #Constitution #Whitfield #Government of National Unity #GNU #John Steenhuisen #Ramaphosa #African National Congress #ANC #National Dialogue #South Africa #South African

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Newzroom Afrika

@Newzroom405

Former President Thabo Mbeki slams the DA's National Dialogue withdrawal, scheduled for 15 August. In an 11-page open letter addressed to DA leader John Steenhuisen, Mbeki describes the party’s move as ‘misplaced and very strange indeed’. He accuses the DA leadership of

News24 🇿🇦

@News24

In a humiliating and scathing public response to the DA and its leader, John Steenhuisen, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his disappointment and labelled the DA’s decision to step away from the National Dialogue as the ultimate form of “hypocrisy”.

SABC News

@SABCNews

[WATCH] President Cyril Ramaphosa has launched a scathing attack on Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen for his decision to withdraw from the National Dialogue. This comes in the wake of former president Thabo Mbeki’s open letter to Steenhuisen after announcing his