PAT’S SPAT
I'll fight DA in court, says De Lille
● Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille is going to court to stop her party removing her through a motion of no confidence.
DA leaders have given De Lille until tomorrow to provide reasons why she should not resign as mayor after an investigation uncovered “open warfare” in the City of Cape Town DA caucus and warned that it could cost the party its council majority in 2019.
If De Lille declines to resign, she must provide reasons why the party’s federal executive should not allow the caucus to move a motion of no confidence in her tomorrow.
The ultimatum to De Lille, who is under suspension, follows a series of allegations against her about misuse of funds and her influence in certain city council appointments. De Lille has dismissed the allegations.
The frontrunners to replace De Lille are her deputy, Ian Neilson, DA Western Cape leader Bonginkosi Madikizela and social development MEC Albert Fritz.
Madikizela has said he was not interested in becoming premier, with many hinting he would run for mayor.
De Lille will also ask the high court to set aside a report by a DA committee, led by parliamentary chief whip John Steenhuisen, which investigated allegations of maladministration in the city and tensions within the DA caucus.
De Lille told the Sunday Times she was being treated unfairly.
“We’ve had four clean audits and we’re the only city to achieve that,” she said.
In the “strictly confidential” report, seen by the Sunday Times, Steenhuisen describes a “state of crisis” in the City of Cape Town.
“Open warfare has broken out among councillors in the DA caucus, with some even threatening to move motions of no confidence against the mayor,” it said.
Steenhuisen says instability in the metro poses a “clear and present danger” to the party’s electoral prospects in 2019.
Party spokeswoman Phumzile Van Damme said the investigation was the first step “towards bringing new management to the City of Cape Town caucus”.
Those close to De Lille say she is being targeted by a “cabal” who oppose her plans to develop affordable housing closer to the city. A party insider has denied this.