The Patriotic Alliance is identified in a report by John Steenhuisen as the group responsible for the coalition government’s demise in Johannesburg. The PA, led by Gayton McKenzie, withdrew from the alliance to join the ANC/EFF combination, which would now assume control of Johannesburg.

According to John Steenhuisen, “The breakdown of these negotiations will unavoidably lead to a blame-game, as the PA attempts to absolve itself of guilt. The same will be done by ActionSA, which has supported the PA’s demands during the discussions. The whole blame is now being shifted to Gayton McKenzie and his Patriotic Alliance political party. Many people say that they never believed that Gayton McKenzie and his party could enter into coalition with the ANC/EFF led coalition, after all that he had lambasted both parties as corrupt. Some people have gone to his Twitter handle to express their disappointment.

In letters to the Coalition Partners, John Steenhuisen spells out the DA’s history of compromise and its final offer to ensure that the multi-party coalition could survive to keep the ANC/EFF out of Johannesburg. Helen Zille told those who are blaming the DA for the collapse should read the document first. She wrote, “If anyone is interested in the truth behind the sad turn of events in Johannesburg today, this gives it to you”.

However, some people are not paying attention to her. Barry Saayman told Helen Zille that the DA put up a weak coalition in Johannesburg. He wrote, “Thank you for sharing. DA efforts to keep the fragile coalition in Johannesburg intact is highly appreciated. Many people in the back of their minds always expected that the arrangements will not keep conniving politicians out of office – a self-fulfilling prophecy”.