The DA says it is preparing for a possible worst-case scenario should violence break out in SA if the governing ANC’s electoral majority falls by 10% in the 2024 general election.
The ANC's internal polling shows that its support might drop to below 40% in 2024 as persistent load-shedding, among other issues, tops the list of concerns of traditional ANC voters who may be considering voting for the EFF or the DA.
Late in March, former president Thabo Mbeki warned that the ANC’s decision to thwart parliamentary probes into the theft of funds at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm and allegations of corruption at Eskom could further put a dent in a the party’s electoral fortunes.
“We cannot trust the ANC to easily give up political power, and the fist fights in council chambers is a taste of what is to come under the ANC,” the DA’s federal chair, Ivan Meyer, told Business Day on the sidelines of the party’s internal leadership conference on Saturday.
“This is nothing foreign but is typical of liberation parties when they lose power. No civil war but we are preparing for a political transition in SA,” he said.
Meyer has sponsored a proposal to have the official opposition develop a strategy for a peaceful political transition in SA after 2024’s election, should the ANC lose its majority.
“All major polling confirms that SA is heading for a coalition government at national level in 2024,” the resolution reads.
“The behaviour of public representatives of the governing party does not inspire confidence when they are losing power, as per their current behaviour at various metros across SA.”
The resolution requires the support of the majority of the DA’s 2,000 delegates at the party’s two day conference, to be passed.
Meyer’s proposal says the party should seek the support of the international community through diplomatic channels and foreign heads of state for their support in facilitating a peaceful transition in SA.
The conference is scheduled to close on Sunday after the announcement of the new leader of the party. The incumbent, John Steenhuisen, faces former Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse for the position of leader.
Helen Zille is likely to be re-elected uncontested to lead the DA’s engine room after her lone contender, Lungile Phenyane, abruptly dropped out of the race.
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