‘No one’s beds we are lying in’: DA rules out talks with MK Party ahead of elections

Dean Macpherson says the DA is determined to govern without relying on other parties, ruling out talks with the MK Party as preparations for the elections intensify.

The DA has ruled out getting into bed with the MK Party ahead of the local government elections, with party chairperson Dean Macpherson saying the party is determined to secure an outright majority and govern without political compromise.

Macpherson confirmed the DA was not holding talks with other political parties as it prepared for the November 4 elections, insisting that the party wants to win outright rather than rely on coalition partners.

“There are no discussions we are having. There are no talks that we are having. There's no one's beds we are lying in here. We are only in our room and our hotel because we want to win,” Macpherson said during a media briefing on Thursday.

“I can tell you straight up, for free, it doesn't include the MK Party. So we are very clear on that.”

He said the DA's priority was to secure a majority that would allow it to implement its manifesto without having to negotiate with other parties.

“We want to implement the DA's manifesto, lock, stock and barrel. No compromise,” he said.

Macpherson said the DA was confident it could secure the majority it was seeking and would remain focused on its election campaign.

His comments came as the party announced its mayoral candidates for uMhlathuze and Ray Nkonyeni, as well as the defection of ActionSA's former KwaDukuza mayoral candidate Halalisani Ndlovu to the DA.

Macpherson also defended the DA's candidate-selection process, saying it differed from that of other political parties and required candidates to go through several stages before being selected.

Candidates could apply and were required to undergo an interview and submit a substantive document and work plan showing what they could do.

He said the process was fair and transparent and had been followed by all of the DA's mayoral and councillor candidates.

The process was also intended to prevent political patronage and ensure personal relationships with senior party figures did not determine where candidates were placed on electoral lists.

Macpherson said the DA had submitted all its candidate lists to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and was ready for the elections.