This follows growing tensions between the two parties, sparked by Ramaphosa’s decision to dismiss DA Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield after he undertook an unauthorised visit to the United States.

The DA, SA’s second-largest party and a key partner in the GNU, has since withdrawn from the National Dialogue scheduled for August, citing dissatisfaction with the ANC’s handling of alleged corruption within cabinet.

The DA has issued an ultimatum demanding the dismissal of ministers it accuses of corruption, and speculation is mounting that it could move to oust the president through a parliamentary vote.

But ANC Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri has dismissed the DA’s threats, saying such action would amount to an exit from the GNU.

“I can say with certainty that motion will not pass in the House, and if the DA decides to do that, they are essentially saying that they have walked out of the GNU,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.

“We know that they have been planning, or a particular group within the DA has been planning, the matter of passing a motion of no confidence. We were expecting that this was going to be spoken about, but we do want to say that should they take that course of action, the ANC would be ready to make sure that we defend.”

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--