The African National Congress (ANC) Parliamentary Caucus has strongly criticised the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s position on the Employment Equity Act (EEA), calling it a direct assault on South Africa’s efforts to build a fair and inclusive society.
The DA is challenging the Government of National Unity (GNU) in court over newly gazetted employment equity targets, arguing that the EEA imposes unconstitutional and unfair discrimination.
The legal action, which was first launched during the 6th Parliament, resurfaced just weeks after the Department of Employment and Labour published updated regulations.
The ANC warned that the DA’s challenge undermines efforts to address historical injustices.
“South Africa’s Constitution acknowledges the deep and enduring injustices of apartheid, committing to create a society based on democratic values, social justice, and human rights. The Employment Equity Act (EEA) is a key tool in realising this vision, especially in a labour market that was once among the most unequal in the world due to apartheid’s oppressive system,” reads the statement.
The DA contends that the law gives the Labour Minister excessive power to enforce rigid sector-wide quotas, penalising firms harshly for non-compliance.
“This can no longer be classified as a target. It amounts to an enabling law for the Minister to set rigid quotas, which have previously been found by our courts to be unconstitutional,” the DA stated.
In its response, the ANC Parliamentary Caucus said claims that the EEA is “anti-merit” distort the reality of apartheid’s lasting damage to education and job access for the Black majority.
“In the Western Cape, where the DA holds power, the implementation of the EEA is significantly behind that of national government departments, underscoring the party’s resistance to meaningful change.”
While the DA says it’s fighting for a future of fairness for all South Africans, the ANC argues it is defending entrenched privilege.
“The resistance is about defending the economic status quo where the majority of wealth, land, and power remain in white hands.”
The ANC Parliamentary Caucus reaffirmed its commitment to workforce transformation and ensuring all South Africans share in the country’s democratic gains.