ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has blamed the Democratic Alliance (DA) for the recent U.S. tariffs and threats of sanctions against ANC leaders, accusing the party of undermining South Africa’s sovereignty through its actions abroad.
Speaking after the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, Mbalula alleged that the DA lobbied against South Africa’s transformative policies—such as Black Economic Empowerment—during visits to the U.S., prompting backlash from Washington. He warned that the ANC would not abandon its agenda under foreign pressure.
“We will never back imperialists to subvert our democracy and sovereignty,” Mbalula stated, daring the U.S. to impose sanctions.
The NEC also resolved to disband its Western Cape leadership, deploying national committees to restructure and strengthen the province. Progress was noted in rebuilding party structures in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal—key provinces for the ANC, which together make up over 40% of its electoral support.
Additionally, the ANC plans to engage with alliance partner SACP to reconsider its decision to contest elections independently, citing potential damage to the national democratic revolution.