The Democratic Alliance (DA) has vowed it will not support an ANC candidate to chair Parliament’s newly established Committee on the Presidency, setting the stage for a political contest within the Government of National Unity (GNU).
The committee is expected to elect its chairperson on Wednesday morning at Parliament, in what is being described as a key test of oversight over President Cyril Ramaphosa and his office.
DA Chief Whip George Michalakis said the party would field its own candidate, arguing that the credibility of the committee depends on its independence from the executive.
“From the start, the DA has been adamant that oversight needs to be seen to be done and that the chairperson of this committee cannot be from the same party as the President,” Michalakis said.
He warned that allowing the ANC to chair the committee would undermine its purpose and risk turning it into a protective shield for the Presidency rather than a mechanism for accountability.
The Committee on the Presidency is set to meet between 09:00 and 10:00 at the NCOP Building, marking a significant moment in South Africa’s parliamentary oversight framework. It is the first dedicated committee of its kind since 1994, created to strengthen accountability at the highest level of government.
Its establishment follows recommendations by the Zondo Commission, which called for tighter scrutiny of executive power in the wake of state capture findings.
The DA played a central role in pushing for the creation of the committee through Parliament’s Rules Committee, despite initial resistance from the ANC.
“From the start, the ANC has been opposed to establishing this committee, until the DA with the help of other parties ensured its establishment,” Michalakis said.
He added that the party would use the committee “to the benefit of South Africans” and ensure that parliamentary accountability is upheld, regardless of which party ultimately chairs it.
The ANC is expected to field its own candidate, though it has not publicly confirmed who that nominee will be.
The standoff comes at a delicate time in South African politics, with both the ANC and DA forming part of the GNU following the 2024 general elections, where no single party secured an outright majority.
Despite their cooperation in government, tensions between the two parties have surfaced on several issues, particularly around governance and oversight.
The DA’s position signals a clear line in the sand, suggesting that while it may share power with the ANC, it is not prepared to compromise on what it views as core democratic principles.
Political analysts say the outcome of the chairperson election could influence how effectively the committee operates, and whether it is able to hold the Presidency accountable.
The committee comprises 16 members drawn from multiple political parties, reflecting Parliament’s proportional representation. Among those serving in parliamentary oversight structures are figures such as Ian Cameron, Supra Mahumapelo and Jan de Villiers, highlighting the broader multi-party approach to committee work.
For the DA, however, the issue is less about representation and more about principle.
“The ANC seems to continue to be hell-bent on shielding the President. Something they will ultimately have to answer to the voters for,” Michalakis said.
As MPs gather to elect the committee’s first chairperson, the vote is expected to test both the strength of the GNU and Parliament’s commitment to meaningful oversight.
The outcome may ultimately determine whether the new committee becomes a robust check on executive power — or another battleground in South Africa’s evolving coalition politics.
