Motion to remove De Lille proposed

IMPATIENT with the DA’s internal investigation, a DA city councillor has written to the City caucus to discuss a motion of no confidence in mayor Patricia de Lille tomorrow.

In a letter addressed to DA City of Cape Town caucus chairperson Suzette Little, Mercia Kleinsmith, councillor for Bellville South and surrounds, requested an urgent meeting of the caucus to discuss the motion.

Kleinsmith’s request comes two weeks after the DA formally charged De Lille for bringing the party into disrepute, among other issues. The investigation by the party’s federal legal commission is set to be completed in two months.

“Following the council meeting on January 19, 2018, I believe that the mayor breached the DA caucus discipline and rules when she proposed her own change of the water tariffs at the full council meeting despite the fact that the caucus discussed the matter fully and came to a decision,” Kleinsmith wrote.

According to Kleinsmith, there are simply too many worrying matters, actions and press releases by De Lille that are in contradiction with DA’s policies and values.

“All indications are that the party and its structures, the public of Cape Town and this caucus has lost confidence in the mayor to lead this city.

Kleinsmith claimed that De Lille “Disregarded the DA’s federal leadership instructions; displayed contempt for the decisions of the caucus on the water tariffs, as well as her threat to challenge the new delegations that were approved in court; disclosed the findings of the Steenhuisen investigation, the Bowman Gilfillan report and those of the city manager and mismanaged the water crisis leaving voters facing Day Zero due to red tape and delays with critical decisions not taken because of the mayor’s interference with the officials and processes”.

“I believe that the ongoing conflict between the mayor on the one hand and

“THIS BEHAVIOUR FOLLOWS A COUPLE OF WEEKS DURING WHICH SHE CRITICISED THE DA AND ITS MANAGEMENT, TO THE EXTENT THAT IT APPEARS THAT SHE DOES NOT CONSIDER HERSELF PART OF THE DA, OR AT LEAST CONSIDERS HERSELF MORE IMPORTANT THAN IT AND ABOVE THE RULES OF THE PARTY.”

the DA Caucus, and DA party leadership on the other hand will continue for a number of months and that it will simply lead to much greater damage to the internal relationships within the party, the reputation of the DA in Cape Town and the good name of the City itself,” Kleinsmith wrote.

“I am also aware that this binding caucus decision has been communicated to the mayor and that she decided to ignore the caucus and embarrass the DA councillors and the party by proposing an alternative that was not feasible, in full view of the media and the political opposition at our last council meeting. This behaviour follows a couple of weeks during which she criticised the DA and its management to the extent that it appears that she does not consider herself part of the DA, or at least considers herself more important than it and above the rules of the party.”

De Lille said she will not be commenting on this issue now.

When asked for comment Little said: “I will have to quote from Scripture.”

ACDP councillor Grant Haskin said: “Up until all the allegations against the mayor have been tested, we will not be supporting any motion or unfair decision. We believe that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. If the investigation requires no action against the mayor we will not support the move to remove her.”

Grant Twigg, DA metro chairperson said: “I am not going to comment on this matter. This should not be playing out in the media.”