The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has made a landmark ruling in a case between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA). The court has sided with the DA and ruled that the ANC must turn over its records relating to cadre deployment within five court days.

This decision is a major blow to the ANC and highlights ongoing concerns about transparency in the party’s cadre deployment practices. Cadre deployment refers to the strategic placement of party loyalists in key government and state-owned enterprise positions, and has been a controversial issue in South African politics.

The DA argued that the ANC’s lack of transparency on cadre deployment hindered their ability to hold the party accountable for any potential corruption or mismanagement. The court agreed and ordered the ANC to release the records.

However, the ANC has announced its intention to appeal the decision, stating that the court’s ruling infringes on the party’s constitutional rights. The appeal will now be heard in a higher court.

The outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications for the transparency and accountability of the ANC’s cadre deployment practices. It is a clear message that the public demands greater transparency and accountability from the country’s political parties.

This case has shone a spotlight on the need for the ANC to be transparent in its cadre deployment practices and has set a precedent for future cases. It is now up to the higher courts to determine the fate of the ANC’s records and the future of cadre deployment in South Africa.