The Democratic Alliance (DA) party has announced its withdrawal from the National Dialogue announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, scheduled for August. 

This is citing unhappiness at the axing of its Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield after his unauthorised visit to the United States. 

The DA also says it may consider a vote of no confidence against Ramaphosa. 

The DA says Ramaphosa targeted Whitfield, but has failed to act against what it says are corrupt ANC Cabinet Ministers. 

Mbalula says the National Dialogue is not a political initiative but a SA programme on how to structure an inclusive and sustainable nation. 

He spoke to the media outside ANC O.R. Tambo Regional Conference at Mthatha in the Eastern Cape Province. 

“There will be differences in this GNU because we did not come here as like-minded political parties. Those things that unite us outweigh those that divide us. 

So it cannot be that once we differ on a single issue, including the removal of a Deputy Minister of an opposition in the GNU, then that party threatens to walk away and threatens with the motion of no confidence. Government is not run in that way.” 

--SABC--