The GOOD Party has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of prioritizing its own interests over those of South Africans by withdrawing from the National Dialogue. The criticism follows the DA’s decision to boycott the dialogue until ministers facing corruption allegations are removed from office, a move sparked by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s dismissal of DA Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield for an unauthorized international trip.

At a media briefing on Saturday, GOOD Party’s Brett Herron labeled the DA’s actions as “political theatre” rather than a principled stand. He criticized the DA for issuing an “artificial” 48-hour ultimatum to the president, which he said was exposed as inconsequential. “The DA’s frequent tantrums are quite frankly embarrassing,” Herron said, adding that South Africa needs leadership that engages with complexity and manages disagreements maturely.

Herron argued that the DA’s withdrawal from the dialogue, while maintaining its positions in the Government of National Unity (GNU), highlights a contradiction in its approach. “South Africa does not need parties walking away from dialogue. It needs leadership that can stay the course,” he said.

The GOOD Party’s remarks underscore ongoing tensions within the GNU, with the DA’s actions drawing scrutiny for undermining collaborative efforts to address national challenges.