Mbalula: ANC 'has never said' it is going into coalition with the DA as NEC meets

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said on Thursday that the ANC "has never said" it is going into a coalition with the Democratic Alliance (DA), as the party's national executive committee (NEC) met in Boksburg to settle its approach to hung councils. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce the outcome of the meeting this evening.

What Mbalula said

Mbalula said coalition proposals before the NEC "are not cast in stone". He said: "Never had we envisaged at a national level that we would be talking about coalitions." Asked about a protest outside the venue, he called it "unfortunate and misplaced" and said: "The ANC has never said they are going into coalition with the DA."

ANC members led by Sethu Hasana, Kay Sexwale and Thuthukile Zuma protested outside the meeting. They argue that the DA is anti-transformation.

What the meeting is meant to decide

The special NEC follows local elections that Mbalula has called "catastrophic" for the party. It was expected to adopt guidelines for the ANC's coalition negotiating team, which Mbalula leads, and to hear reports on early engagements with other parties.

ANC spokesperson Bhengu said the party respects voters' decision and that "coalition agreements must bring stability". She said the party's response "must not be reduced to negotiations for municipal positions" and must address service delivery, local government stability and the renewal of the movement.

Reports before the meeting said the ANC was weighing three broad options: a formal arrangement with the DA, a wider deal involving ActionSA, the EFF and smaller parties, or a mutual-support arrangement in which each party governs where it is largest.

Opposition inside the party

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has said he prefers a coalition without the DA, which he has described as anti-transformation. The ANC Youth League has ruled out the DA and other parties it calls right-wing. The MK Party has also ruled out working with the DA.

What we do not yet know

• What the NEC decided and when Ramaphosa will address the media.
• Whether the ANC will pursue mayoral positions in the Gauteng metros or back other parties' governments.
• How the decision affects the DA and ActionSA talks on Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.

The ANC's coalition position is likely to change quickly, and readers should treat any unconfirmed claims about the outcome with caution until the party confirms them.