The Democratic Alliance has strongly defended Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube amid reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa faces pressure from the African National Congress to dismiss her over her opposition to the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act.

DA leader John Steenhuisen warned on Sunday that any attempt to remove Gwarube or other DA ministers “for doing their jobs” would terminate the Government of National Unity coalition.

Tensions emerged after Gwarube, following DA party position, opposed implementing sections of the Bela Act that Ramaphosa signed into law three months ago. The president withheld clauses 4 and 5 pending further consultation.

Steenhuisen criticized the Presidency for distancing itself from a recent settlement agreement reached at the National Economic Development and Labour Council between Gwarube’s department and trade union Solidarity.

“The fact that the Presidency has now distanced itself from this legislated process, which they were party to, is as disgraceful, as it is confusing,” Steenhuisen said in a statement.

Nedlac executive director Lisa Seftel clarified that the agreement between Solidarity and the education department binds only the signing parties, not the broader parliamentary process or Government of National Unity.

“The agreement does not bind the parliamentary process, or the GNU process or the president, or the clearing house, or the deputy president,” Seftel said.

The dispute centers on sections 4 and 5 of the Bela Act, which Parliament passed in October 2023. Implementation was delayed three months to allow multi-party discussions on resolving contentious issues.

Steenhuisen emphasized that the DA joined the coalition government to drive positive change while upholding the Constitution and rule of law. “Anything to the contrary will not be tolerated,” he said.