The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has confirmed it will remain part of the Government of National Unity (GNU), following a meeting with the African National Congress (ANC) this week aimed at defusing escalating political tensions in Gauteng.
Speaking after the talks, PA deputy leader Kenny Kunene said the meeting – held in Johannesburg – brought together ANC leadership, Gauteng provincial officials, and metro representatives, including those from Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Emfuleni, the West Rand, and Tshwane.
‘We Have Found Common Ground’
The urgent discussions followed an ultimatum issued by PA president Gayton McKenzie, who had threatened to resign from his ministerial post and withdraw the party from coalition governments if Kunene was not reinstated to the Johannesburg mayoral committee.
Kunene, addressing supporters via a Facebook Live session, said the meeting helped both parties to clarify their positions and ease tensions that had built over recent weeks.
“We have also dealt with the issue of the threat. We have put it aside. We have found common ground,” Kunene said, while also expressing dissatisfaction with certain ANC actions in municipal governance.
He emphasised that while the PA remained unhappy with how the ANC has handled some local government matters, the meeting led to workable proposals that the party found acceptable.
“This meeting has put to bed the issue of the resignation of the prez [McKenzie] or us withdrawing from coalitions. The proposals made sense and we are quite, quite, quite excited,” Kunene added.
McKenzie Briefed, Approves Outcome
Although McKenzie did not attend the meeting due to prior commitments, Kunene confirmed that the party leader was fully briefed and had endorsed the outcome of the talks.
The decision ensures the PA will continue to play a role in municipal coalitions and the broader GNU, at least for now, ending days of speculation around a potential walkout that could have had far-reaching consequences for coalition stability in Gauteng and beyond.
The meeting is being viewed as a temporary stabilising moment in the province’s volatile coalition politics, which have been plagued by infighting and leadership disputes across several municipalities.
