South Africa - Cape Town - 13 March 2024 - Herman Mashaba is a South African politician, entrepreneur and the current president of ActionSA. The eleven parties of the Multi-Party Charter for South Africa hosted a joint press conference to provide a Charter Governments plan to combat crime, corruption, and drugs. The systematic plan to professionalise the SAPS, strengthen the NPA, dismantle illicit drug networks, and criminalise the abuse of power will be fully unpacked. Members of the media are invited to attend. Party leaders held the press conference at Mfuleni Police Station. Photographer: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
Amid concerns of wavering commitment within the multiparty charter, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has voiced apprehension over potential back-tracking by some members.
The charter – aimed at fostering co-operation between the various political parties – has recently faced scrutiny, amid rumours of wavering allegiance.
Mashaba expressed his concern following public statements made by some members of the charter, suggesting possible working relations with the ANC after the upcoming elections.
He also noted disappointment with some party leaders declining invitations to undergo lifestyle audits, despite an agreement stipulating that all charter signatories standing for public office undergo such audits.
“Over the past week or so, discussions have emerged within the DA and the IFP regarding the possibility of establishing a government of national unity alongside the ANC. We have reached out to them, seeking clarification on this matter.
“However, it appears they are now retracting from these discussions, asserting their stance against forming a coalition with the ANC.”
Mashaba reiterated ActionSA’s firm stance against associating itself with the ANC, emphasising his party’s commitment to its principles.
Regarding the refusal of the DA and the IFP to participate in the sponsored lifestyle audits, Mashaba expressed confusion, stating that he doesn’t understand why the DA is rejecting this because this is part of the multiparty charter agreement.
He also extended invitations for lifestyle audits to President Cyril Ramaphosa and the EFF leader Julius Malema, emphasising the importance of transparency and accountability in politics.
But Mashaba refrained from inviting the leadership of the MK Party for an audit, citing uncertainty over the party’s official leadership.
“The reason why I did not invite the MK is because I did not know if the leader of the MK is going to be Zuma or someone else,” Mashaba said.
The purpose of the charter also included opposing the potential formation of an ANC-EFF coalition, which the DA had referred to as a “doom’s day coalition”.
Despite discussions surrounding a potential post-election coalition, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula emphasised that his party’s primary focus was on securing an outright majority in the May 29, 2024, elections.