South African Political parties are currently taking jabs at each currently with a hope to secure local votes.
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has responded back at the accusations laid by ActionSA.
Steenhuisen emphasized that the party[ActionSA] is falling into a well-orchestrated trap laid by the African National Congress (ANC).
According to Reader Mode: The comments follow weeks of finger-pointing among opposition parties over who is to blame for the disintegration of multi-party coalitions meant to keep the ANC out of municipal power.
At the heart of the conflict is the perception that ActionSA’s recent manoeuvres, particularly in Johannesburg, opened the door for the ANC to reclaim influence through backdoor political deals.
Tensions erupted after the ANC managed to sway key votes in the Johannesburg council, aided by what DA insiders claim was ActionSA’s failure to stand firm on agreed-upon positions.
The fallout led to the installation of ANC-aligned candidates in leadership positions, raising alarms about a possible return to ANC control through the fragmentation of the opposition.
Source stated: According to Steenhuisen, ActionSA’s attempt to reposition itself as the lead voice in coalition talks backfired spectacularly.
Steenhuisen’s scathing remarks suggest that trust between the two parties, once united in their mission to challenge ANC dominance, is rapidly deteriorating.
In response, ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont dismissed Steenhuisen’s remarks as a “diversion tactic,” accusing the DA of undermining opposition unity and failing to consult coalition partners.
Beaumont further hinted at future political realignments and called for the establishment of a new framework that places ethical leadership above party egos.
Political analysts say the war of words highlights the volatility of coalition politics in South Africa’s urban centres. Professor Susan Booysen from Wits University notes that opposition coalitions have consistently struggled with internal power dynamics.
Booysen added that Steenhuisen’s remarks, while politically charged, reflect growing frustration within the DA over what they perceive as sabotage from within the opposition block.
With Johannesburg and other metros hanging in the balance, the latest clash between the DA and ActionSA could further weaken opposition momentum ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Voters in key urban areas may grow weary of coalition instability, potentially opening the door for the ANC to reclaim its lost urban strongholds.
BY LUCKY SEANEGO
