De Lille attacks ‘a DA power struggle’
MAYOR FIGHTS BACK: REGIONAL EXEC OVER THE LINE
DA federal executive asks for an end to ‘ventilating’ so as not to prejudice hearing.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it is “disappointed that some sections” of the party are “ventilating their thoughts” about the fate of Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille, who has been the subject of an inquiry into possible wrongdoing.
De Lille has publicly denied the allegations and rubbished suggestions she may have “mismanaged her constituency”.
James Selfe, MP and DA federal executive chairperson, said: “The matter is currently before the federal executive of the DA, as the highest decision-making body of the party, which will meet on Sunday to thoroughly engage with all aspects of the allegations against the executive mayor and the divisions within that caucus.”
“Ultimately, the DA will act in the best interests of the people of Cape Town and it is vital that this process is allowed to go ahead and not be prejudiced, considering the serious nature of the allegations.”
Earlier, the DA’s Cape metro regional chairperson Grant Twigg said: “The executive in Cape Town met and discussed the possibility and we felt we have lost confidence in her as the leader of the City of Cape Town. So we asked the leadership to consider our recommendations to have her removed.”
But De Lille is fighting back. In a statement, she disputed Twigg’s claim that the party’s regional leadership had met and called for her removal. “Firstly, this statement does not represent the City of Cape Town DA caucus because they never met,” De Lille said. “Secondly, after this statement by Twigg was issued, I received numerous calls from members of DA branches saying they were not consulted on this statement by the regional executive, nor have they given them this mandate.”
In his statement, Twigg had said: “We are of the view that the City of Cape Town requires stability, unity and functionality, which we believe she (De Lille) cannot deliver.”
De Lille said the regional executive must provide proof of when they met with branches and what mandate they received. The mayor also accused the DA regional executive of flagrant disregard for processes in the party in their rush to get rid of her and make provincial DA leader Bonginkosi Madikizela the next mayor. “It illustrates my previous position these attacks on me have been about power and positions all along.” – ANA