Johannesburg — Patriotic Alliance Deputy President Kenny Kunene has escalated his criticism of the Democratic Alliance (DA), accusing the party of acting like “extortionists” in behind-the-scenes political negotiations.
Speaking to media, Kunene alleged that the DA had insisted on the privatization of a specific port as a condition for supporting the controversial Value-Added Tax (VAT) increase proposal. “They didn’t oppose the VAT hike — in fact, they used it as leverage,” Kunene claimed. “Their support came at a price, and that price was state infrastructure.”
He did not name the port in question but suggested the DA’s actions were not in the public interest, calling them “a betrayal of the people under the guise of economic reform.”
The DA has not officially responded to the accusation, but the claim has stirred renewed debate over transparency in political bargaining, particularly when it involves national assets.
Kunene’s remarks add to a growing list of confrontations between the Patriotic Alliance and the DA as the 2025 election season nears. He called on South Africans to “see through the theatrics” and demand real accountability from all political leaders.
The controversy now places a spotlight on both economic policy and the ethical standards of coalition negotiations — particularly where state-owned assets and public taxes intersect.
