Patriotic Alliance threatens to quit GNU unless Kenny Kunene is reinstated

South Africa’s fledgling coalition government just got a reality check. The Patriotic Alliance has told the African National Congress it will pull out of the Government of National Unity (GNU) unless its deputy president, Kenny Kunene, is reinstated as the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport in Johannesburg.

Why the stand‑off matters

Kunene was sacked after being spotted at the Sandton home of Katiso KT Molefe, a man charged with murder, during Molefe’s arrest. While the PA has since cleared Kunene of any wrongdoing, the ANC’s decision to keep him off the transport board has ignited a fierce dispute.

Gayton McKenzie, the PA’s charismatic leader, issued a seven‑day ultimatum on Thursday. "If the ANC doesn’t reinstate Kunene by Monday, we walk away from every coalition agreement," he warned, adding that the party would also explore a new alliance with the Democratic Alliance (DA) if relations with the ANC soured further.

His threat is more than just political theatre. The PA currently holds a ministerial post in the national GNU—a power‑sharing arrangement that brings together ten parties after the last election produced no outright winner. Losing that seat would not only diminish the PA’s influence in Pretoria but also destabilise the delicate balance that keeps the coalition afloat.

What’s at stake for the GNU and Johannesburg

Analysts say the episode highlights the fragility of multi‑party pacts. When a coalition partner feels sidelined, the whole agreement can wobble, especially in a setting where no single party commands a clear majority.

In Johannesburg, the transport portfolio is a high‑profile job. The MMC oversees everything from bus routes to major road upgrades, and Kunene’s removal has already sparked debates about policy direction and accountability.

• Potential fallout for the national GNU: A PA exit could force a cabinet reshuffle, prompt renegotiations of policy priorities, and embolden other smaller parties to demand more concessions.
• Impact on local governance: Without PA support, the Johannesburg coalition may lose its majority, complicating budgeting and service delivery for the city’s 5.5 million residents.
• Shift in opposition dynamics: A PA‑DA deal would reshape the opposition landscape, possibly giving the DA a stronger foothold in both city and national politics.

McKenzie’s claim that the ANC has shown “disrespect” reflects deeper resentment. Many PA supporters see the party’s exclusion from key decisions as a betrayal of the power‑sharing promise that helped them secure ministerial spots after the election.

Meanwhile, the ANC faces a dilemma. Reinstating Kunene could be portrayed as capitulating to pressure, but refusing might push the PA out, eroding the coalition’s legitimacy. The party’s response will likely hinge on internal calculations about maintaining a united front versus preserving its own leadership credibility.

The seven‑day clock is ticking, and Johannesburg’s streets are already buzzing with speculation. Will the ANC bend, or will the PA walk away, taking its ministerial seat and possibly a new partner with it? The answer could set the tone for how South Africa’s coalition experiment handles dissent in the months ahead.