A real public servant would step aside
THE whole Patricia de Lille saga has caused me to question her reasons for serving as a public representative. Isn’t public office held for the benefit of the residents and citizens rather than the officials?
Putting aside for a moment the merits of the allegations levelled against the mayor, the central issue now is that 75% of the City of Cape Town caucus has lost confidence in the mayor’s leadership. Whether this is the result of misconduct on her part, her autocratic leadership style, or simple personality clashes, the result is the same. You cannot lead people who no longer believe in the direction you are taking them, and who simply are no longer willing to follow you. A less ego-driven leader would step aside at that point to allow the council to continue to focus on their primary function – serving the people of Cape Town.
To my mind, De Lille has elevated her personal reputation management crusade above the people she claims to serve.
The functioning of our City has been compromised for the sake of the mayor’s ego.
No doubt any one of us would seek to clear our names if the allegations facing her were levelled against us, but must this be done from the mayoral office?
Her mayoral duties have now become a sideshow, with her personal crusade taking centre stage. The people of Cape Town deserve better. De Lille needs to resign. She cannot hold an entire city hostage in her battle for power, position and prestige.
She needs to answer the case against her in her own time, on her own dime so the DA and the council can get back to their actual job, governing.