Helen Zille Warns President Cyril Ramaphosa That He’s on His Second Strike, SA Says She Must Retire

• Helen Zille issued a strong warning towards President Cyril Ramaphosa following Andrew Whitfield's dismissal on 26 June 2025
• The DA is unhappy that ANC ministers linked to corruption aren't fired, but Whitfield was, because he didn't get permission for a trip
• South Africans weighed in on Zille's comments, questioning whether they had the numbers to remove Ramaphosa from power

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

WESTERN CAPE – The Democratic Alliance (DA) was not making idle threats when it discussed tabling a motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa.

That was one of the takeaways from Helen Zille’s address during a Democratic Alliance press briefing on Saturday, 28 June 2025. The party called a briefing to discuss the way forward following President Ramaphosa’s decision to fire Andrew Whitfield. Whitfield, the former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, was fired for undertaking a trip to the USA without Ramaphosa’s approval.

What did Zille say about Ramaphosa?

During the press briefing, the DA’s Federal Chair said that the African National Congress (ANC) president should not test her. She added that while the party didn’t decide to table a motion of no confidence in Ramaphosa, it wasn’t off the table.

"I like to live by the three strikes, and you are out maxim. So, this is the second big strike, and believe me, we discussed at length about a motion of no confidence in the president," she said.

Zille added that by failing to take action against the corruption-accused ministers in the ANC, the president was proving to be not much different from them. She added that there was no point in being in a coalition with him if this was the case.

“So, we are saying, don’t test us because we are prepared to use the nuclear option," she exclaimed.

What you need to know about the DA and ANC fallout

• The DA gave Ramaphosa 48 hours to fire ANC ministers linked to corruption after he fired Whitfield.
• Ramaphosa responded to the DA’s ultimatum as he defended his decision to fire Whitfield.
• The DA opted to withdraw from the upcoming National dialogue, saying it was a waste of time.
• ANC spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, said the DA needed to decide if it wants to remain in the GNU or not.
• Fikile Mbalula said the ANC took the DA’s recent threats about colla[sing the GNU very seriously.

How did South Africans react?

Social media users were not thrilled with Zille’s comments, with many growing tired of the DA’s threats to leave the GNU. Some even suggested that the party would not get the support it needed to successfully remove Ramaphosa.

Rodney Beresford stated:

“Hot air. There is no way that the motion would succeed.”

Simpson Maanda suggested:

“The elders in the DA, like Tony Leon, need to intervene. Zille and Steenhuisen are making this about themselves and throwing childish tantrums and threats every chance they get. Dissolving the GNU is going to have devastating consequences for South Africans. They need to stop gambling with our future.”

Kolobe Morwa Malekana Modika noted:

“The question is, will the motion pass? And if the motion doesn't pass, do they remain in the GNU? And if yes, I think when the motion fails, because it will fail, then the president must remove them from ministerial positions. The ANC can run a minority government without the DA.”

Xolani Hymnist Dywili said:

“The DA wants to destabilise this country.”

Paseka Maqaza asked:

“When is she going to rest?”

Cindy-Leigh Jacobs stated:

“Whatever, Helen. Give it a rest. Not even your voters care. Go back to the drawing board, reset your entire political strategy and come back with a new plan. One that doesn’t chase non-whites into the arms of your opposition.”

Maggs Manganye questioned:

“So, she genuinely believes that everyone will automatically vote for their motion? Delusion.”

John Satisfied added:

“Zille must retire and spend time with her grandkids.”

Zille says DA has the numbers to collapse GNU

Briefly News also reported that Zille warned that the DA could bring the government to its knees if it wanted.

The DA’s Federal Chairperson stated that the party had the numbers to collapse the Government of National Unity.

South Africans weighed in on Zille's statement, sharing mixed reactions to the latest drama in government.

Source: Briefly News