DA festering grudges erupt in Cape Town inquiry
The DA’s inquiry into governance issues in the City of Cape Town has revealed longrunning battles and deep racial divisions among the party’s senior city councillors.
Sources in the DA, including people who testified before the inquiry, have told the Sunday Times that issues such as race-based campaigning, personal grudges and mutual accusations of irregular spending of public funds have dominated the behind-closeddoors proceedings.
The inquiry, headed by the party’s chief whip in parliament, John Steenhuisen, was set up following accusations and counteraccusations between Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille and JP Smith — head of safety and security on the mayoral committee — over the use of public funds for security upgrades at her private home.
Witnesses who have testified have suggested that powerful city politicians may lose their jobs and that criminal charges might be brought.
“It has become a war of attrition. Councillors are even bringing in old ammunition against each other,” one witness said.
Among the most divisive issues are allegations that some black and coloured councillors are organising against each other along racial lines, questions over the city’s investigation unit that reports to Smith, and suggestions that more than one councillor has spent taxpayers’ money irregularly.
The Sunday Times could not get comment from Steenhuisen, De Lille or Smith because the DA has barred them from speaking to the media.
Xolani Sotashe, ANC leader in the Cape Town metro, said the police were probing the security upgrades at De Lille’s house and that public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane will give feedback this week on whether she will start an investigation.
“The ANC has also reported the matter to metro speaker Dirk Smit,” Sotashe said.
In a further development, Carin Brynard, who recently resigned as councillor for the DA stronghold of Brackenfell, announced this week that she would contest the imminent by-election in the ward on behalf of the Cape Party, which advocates Western Cape secession from South Africa.
“Patricia de Lille has a history in the radical anti-white PAC, and this ideology continues to drive many of her appointments. The people of Cape Town voted for a DA mayor, but instead got a PAC mayor,” said Brynard, who claims De Lille is anti-white.
The inquiry, which was initially intended to be concluded in three days, has now lasted two weeks, and is expected to last for as much as two weeks more, because more councillors and officials have come forward with all manner of allegations.
De Lille and DA chief whip in the metro Shaun August are expected to give evidence before the inquiry next week.
The findings will be forwarded to the DA leadership, who will decide on future steps.