UDM and DA kiss and make up in PE
UDM, DA leaders hint at future co-operation
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said the DA was keen to revive a relationship with his party after it soured shortly after the 2016 local government elections.
Meanwhile, DA interim leader John
Steenhuisen said he found the hysteria over the party’s talks with other opposition parties odd.
“I don’t think it’s unusual for leaders of opposition parties to meet, there’s nothing shocking about it,” Steenhuisen said.
“We still have relationships in both Tshwane and Johannesburg and I don’t think there’s anything odd about meeting with them.
“There’s nothing to be shocked about, there’s nothing on the table, there’s no discussion about forming a coalition, it’s simply meeting leaders of these parties.
“I really find the hysteria slightly misplaced. I find it odd that some people regard it as a heresy for opposition parties to be talking to each other.”
Holomisa was speaking shortly after he met with Steenhuisen and the party’s governance unit head James Selfe yesterday.
“They said there was a new leadership in the party and they would like to revive the co-operation we had previously, specifically in Nelson Mandela Bay,” Holomisa said.
He said the UDM had welcomed the DA’s decision but he would have to hear from his party’s structures first before making any decision.
“We welcomed their initiative and the UDM is a flexible political party. All what we want is service delivery for the people.”
Holomisa said the previous coalition agreement – and what had led to it collapsing – was discussed at length.
UDM councillor Mongameli Bobani was fired from the position of mayoral committee member for public health in May 2017 by then mayor Athol Trollip amid claims he had acted corruptly.
At the time, Bobani also lost his position as deputy mayor. Though Trollip was not always specific on allegations about Bobani, the fallout was, among others, over the seemingly corrupt Milongani tender. Trollip had claimed payments to Milongani happened under Bobani’s watch but this was publicly challenged by Bobani, who on numerous occasions demanded proof. The DA’s leader at the time, Mmusi Maimane, was quoted as saying there was prima facie evidence of corruption against the UDM member.
This led to the public fallout between Trollip and Bobani.
“There were serious accusation from Trollip and Mmusi made without evidence. The DA needs to clarify those allegations as the name of Bobani was besmirched without any evidence,” Holomisa said.
“We were treated like school children, with those two then saying I was also corrupt. We are not interested in getting into that kind of politics ever again.”
Holomisa said the DA admitted they had also made mistakes.
“We parked that issue for now,” said Steenhuisen adding he would meet with all leaders of the opposition.