DA’s discord over ID candidates

THE shadow of the Independent Democrats (ID) hangs uneasily over the Cape with some in the DA reportedly unhappy the top two candidates for the provincial poll are former ID members.

THE shadow of the now defunct Independent Democrats (ID) party hangs uneasily over the Western Cape with reports that some of the Democratic Alliance (DA) leaders are unhappy that the top two candidates for the upcoming provincial elections are former ID members.

The party in the province this week released the names of nominees for the key positions of provincial leader, deputy leader, provincial chairperson, three deputy chairpersons, a chairperson of finance and four additional members. More than 1,300 delegates are expected to vote in the elective conference scheduled for April.

Former members of the ID, Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille and controversial former Western Cape police commissioner and community safety MEC Lennit Max, will battle for the top post.

The DA and the ID completed their merger last year.

But some within the DA feel the former ID members are being parachuted to top positions, while those who have served the DA for longer have been left out.

“It does not look good for the party. Those who have been here for a number of years feel sidelined in many respects … the top position is only being contested by former ID members,” said a DA member who did not want to be named.

There is speculation that current provincial leader Ivan Meyer was “forced” by senior leaders to withdraw from the race to boost Ms de Lille’s chances of winning.

“A number of members were surprised by how Ivan withdrew…. He was clearly forced out…. The directive came from the top,” another DA insider said.

Last week Mr Meyer told Business Day that he would stand for re-election.