Opposition sees DA as ‘party in crisis’
De Lille lacks an ‘internal support from top party structures’
IF SHE wanted to run for the premiership of the Western Cape in 2019, she can, mayor Patricia de Lille told the Cape Argus in an exclusive interview, stifling rumours her “aspiration to become premier” had been “halted by DA bosses”.
De Lille announced she was stepping down as provincial leader of the party to focus her energy on “taking Cape Town to the next level”.
Opposition parties were, however, not convinced and wasted no time poking holes at De Lille’s reasoning, saying her resignation came amid a “crisis” in the DA.
The three biggest opposition parties in the DA-led province, the ANC, EFF and African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), have said De Lille may have forgone the provincial leadership role, due to an apparent lack of internal support from top DA structures.
“We believe De Lille had aspirations of becoming the premier of the Western Cape and we believe those aspirations have been halted by the bosses of the DA,” ACDP provincial leader Ferlon Christians said.
The EFF’s Bernard Joseph added: “It’s quite clear there’s trouble in the house of the DA. There appears to be a conflict of interest between the black members and the white members of the party, so, I don’t buy De Lille’s excuse.
“What we’ll do is utilise this opportunity to make inroads come 2019.”
De Lille has, however, been adamant she had no plans to run for the office of the Premier.
“If I want to run for premiership in 2019, I can,” De Lille said, but indicated her focus remained overseeing the roll-out of the Organisational Development and Transformation Plan (ODTP).
She explained the DA’s constitution was set up that the provincial leader of the party was not an automatic candidate for premiership; that premiers were elected via internal electoral colleges.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane’s spokesperson Mabine Seabe yesterday called the premier succession talks “premature discussions”. Maimane, who has accepted De Lille’s resignation, said as the most experienced mayor, De Lille “will also focus on helping the DA govern well in our metros”.
In its statement, the ANC described De Lille as a good mayor, but “by DA standards”. ANC provincial acting chairperson Khaya Magaxa said: “De Lille has increased the DA’s majority in the Cape Metro and province.
“Provincial leadership of the DA is literally begging her to come and expand her work. This is the road Premier Helen Zille herself took but De Lille is doing it in a manner that renders Zille’s journey almost amateurish.
“De Lille is coloured, in a 50 percent plus majority province. The heights she can reach are unimaginable.”
Provincial ANC spokesperson Yonela Diko clarified the statement was not proDe Lille and that her resignation was indicative of “a party in crisis”.
DA federal executive chairperson James Selfe said an acting provincial leader would be chosen at the party’s provincial council meeting, which was likely to take place on February 24.