South African President Sacks Key Coalition Partner’s Deputy Minister

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed Andrew Whitfield, a member of the Democratic Alliance (DA), from his role as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition. The DA is a key coalition partner in the unity government led by Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC).

In a statement released on Thursday, the Presidency clarified that the dismissal does not signal a broader cabinet reshuffle.

Responding to the move, a DA spokesperson described the president’s decision as “a very serious development” and confirmed that the party’s Federal Executive would convene later on Thursday to deliberate on the matter.

No official reason was provided by the Presidency for Whitfield’s removal.

The ANC and DA South Africa’s two largest political parties formed a coalition government following last year’s election, in which the ANC lost its parliamentary majority. Since then, tensions have emerged between the two parties over the national budget and differing approaches to addressing racial inequality, a legacy of apartheid.

The DA has said it will issue a formal response to Whitfield’s dismissal following its leadership meeting.