DA councillor Ramsay resigns

SEA Point ward councillor Shayne Ramsay has become the latest to dump the DA, bringing to nine the number of councillors who have resigned.

Ramsay said she tendered her resignation letter yesterday and would not disclose the reasons behind her decision, only saying: “Many reasons but now a private citizen! (sic)

She joins former mayor Patricia de Lille, former City chief whip Shaun August, Mayco members Suzette Little and Siyabulela Mamkeli, Brett Herron and councillors Greg Barnardo and Thulani Stemele, Philiswa Marman and Jonathan Cupido – who all resigned from the party.

Ramsay made headlines when she had taken to Facebook, slamming homeless people and had placed a condition on tolerating them in Sea Point stating that “they would have to behave in a manner which is acceptable to other residents”.

Ramsay had reportedly pleaded guilty at a disciplinary committee, and the committee had unanimously accepted Ramsay’s guilty plea and she was fined R10 000.

Provincial DA leader Bonginkosi Madikizela said the party respected her decision.

“We respect her decision and will move on. The fact that she didn’t give reasons makes it difficult to know,” Madikizela said.

ANC leader in the City, Xolani Sotashe, said they were not surprised by Ramsay’s resignation, and welcomed it. Sotashe said he expected more councillors to resign as the party was “not holding”.