President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed Democratic Alliance (DA) member Andrew Whitfield from his position as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, a move that underscores growing friction within South Africa’s recently formed coalition government.
The announcement was made through a brief statement from the presidency on Thursday, which clarified that the removal does not signal a broader cabinet reshuffle. No reason was given for the decision to relieve Whitfield of his duties.
Whitfield’s dismissal is the first high-profile removal of a Democratic Alliance figure since the ANC and DA entered a coalition arrangement following the ANC’s loss of its parliamentary majority in last year’s national election. The power-sharing agreement between the ANC and the DA—South Africa’s two largest parties—was seen as a historic shift in the country’s political landscape, aimed at providing a stable governance structure amid increasing voter fragmentation.
However, the relationship between the two parties has proven to be uneasy. Disagreements have surfaced over key policy issues, including the national budget and approaches to tackling enduring racial inequalities rooted in the apartheid era. These divisions have raised concerns about the coalition’s long-term viability.
Reacting to the development, DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp described the president’s action as “a very serious development” and confirmed that the party’s Federal Executive would meet later on Thursday to discuss the implications of Whitfield’s removal. A formal statement from the party is expected after that meeting.
As the DA deliberates its response, the decision has sparked speculation over the stability of the coalition and whether more dismissals or realignments could follow. For now, Ramaphosa’s office has made it clear that no additional cabinet changes are planned.