Zille to face party hearing
Premier not suspended during case over colonialism tweets
WESTERN Cape premier Helen Zille faces the chop after the DA decided to charge her over her colonialism tweets. The party’s federal executive made the decision after it received an investigation report into her tweets.
“For those claiming legacy of colonialism was ONLY negative, think of our independent judiciary, transport infrastructure, piped water,” Zille wrote on Twitter last month.
Party leader Mmusi Maimane said in Cape Town after the meeting that Zille had violated the party’s federal constitution by allegedly acting in a manner which brought the DA into disrepute.
“The federal legal commission, in its report to the fedex, confirms that there is a case for Ms Zille to answer,” he said.
“Therefore the fedex has decided to proceed with disciplinary action.”
Zille would not be suspended from her position as premier during the hearing, which was expected to start after a five-day notice period.
Maimane said even though Zille’s case was initially referred for investigation for her tweets last month, there had been further developments.
“The initial referral was supplemented on March 22 to include reference to a series of comments made publicly and on social media that have exacerbated and amplified the original tweet,” he said.
The party would also investigate if Zille had breached other sections of its constitution.
The charge comes barely a week after Zille’s colleagues at the Western Cape provincial legislature came to her defence during a debate on her tweets.
DA members gave her a standing ovation and a round of applause during the debate, where Zille described her tweet as a statement of fact.
Asked why Zille had not been suspended, party federal chairman James Selfe said the DA only suspended members if there was a risk that they might interfere with an investigation, and it believed she would not.
Zille tweeted after the decision that she had not yet received any formal notification from the party.
“Whatever I hear from the DA, I have only one comment – I will abide by due and fair process of South Africa and the DA constitution and the rule of law.”
If the DA upholds the misconduct charge against Zille, sanctions could include temporary suspension, a fine, community service or permanent expulsion from the party.
“Our party has always stood for the principle of freedom of speech,” Maimane said.
“This case is not about freedom of speech. Our party has stood for South Africans from all walks of life.
“People can express a view but does that view do damage or harm to the interests of the organisation, which is what this is.
“I’ve got to build an organisation that reflects South Africans.
“In that instance, premier Zille has the right to answer.
“It is personal. I have respect for premier Zille; she has served this country with distinction -- it would be incorrect to suggest that she hasn’t.
“It would also be incorrect to draw conclusions to say that she’s racist. That’s not the person I know.” – Additional reporting by AFP
I will abide by due and fair process and the rule of law