DA mum on reasons for De Lille suspension

THE DA remains silent on reasons for the suspension of Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille.

Her suspension follows the party’s inquiry into allegations ranging from mismanagement to corruption.

James Selfe, chairperson of the DA’s federal executive, said the party has given De Lille reasons for her suspension, but insisted they remain confidential until the matter is finalised.

“The mayor has been furnished with reasons for her suspension and she is expected to respond after New Year. The contents of the report remains confidential between the party and the mayor,” said Selfe.

The report is believed to centre on allegations that some city councillors may have been involved in the murder of a DA councillor in Philippi East and that building work done at her home, paid for by Cape Town’s ratepayers, may not have been legal.

Selfe said the mayor had not made any official communication to the party’s federal executive to defend herself.

De Lille has vowed that she will drag the party to court if she is removed from her position. She said the party did not have enough reasons to remove her. She had had to ask for an extended time to allow her to explain why she should not be suspended.

De Lille said: “I am of the view that they (the reasons) do not warrant my suspension nor my removal… that the ‘process’ followed has been patently unfair towards me. My legal team will convey this to (the federal executive), as they have done repeatedly during the last few months.”

“I have made no secret of the fact that I will consider legal action if the DA decides to remove me from my position as the mayor of Cape Town.”

However, DA spokesperson Phumzile van Damme, who did not reveal the contents of the inquiry report‚ said the party’s sub- committee had found “sufficient management and governance-related challenges prevalent in the DA’s City of Cape Town caucus, negatively impacting the city’s mandate to govern efficiently for the people of Cape Town.”

ANC councillor and spokesperson in the Dullah Omar region Khaya Yozi said if De Lille challenges her suspension in court, they will also approach the court to have her removed.