De Lille gears up for court battle against DA

THE clock is ticking for mayor Patricia de Lille as she gears up for a court battle with the DA if the party’s federal executive decides against her.

De Lille said she has to submit reasons to the federal executive on Wednesday as to why she should keep her job.

“The DA’s federal executive has communicated with me to make submissions on May 2. They are just looking through formalities.”

She said she will follow the process, but she is preparing herself for a court battle to fight the so-called “De Lille Clause”.

“I will go to court and I will fight the constitutionality of that clause.”

It’s been a turbulent week for De Lille after she faced a motion of no confidence in council last Wednesday. The motion was successful, but De Lille said she is not willing to back down quietly.

“I am very fortunate to have been part of fighting for freedom in this country and I have constantly said that I will fight for fairness.” De Lille is currently in a battle with her party as they gear up for the 2019 elections.

She was formally charged by her party earlier this year for bringing the party into disrepute, refusing to comply with party decisions, undue interference and failing to perform duties and responsibilities.

It has been an ongoing public spat between De Lille and the party as the DA prepares to welcome new leadership.

De Lille was suspended last year from all party-related activities after allegations of maladministration surfaced. De Lille has refuted allegations she is running away from accountability.

“I want them to tell me what I have done wrong, but I am prepared to go through this process.”

The DA adopted a new clause, labelled the “De Lille Clause”, at its April 7 federal congress in Tshwane. The DA’s deputy chairperson of the federal council, Natasha Mazzone, said: “Despite numerous claims to the contrary, the Accountability Clause, which was formally adopted the DA’s federal congress, is not about De Lille.

“In fact, the clause has already enabled the DA to hold an executive member in the Matzikama Municipality to account.”

De Lille, however, is adamant that the clause affects her. “She (Mazzone) is really insulting the intelligence of South Africans.

“This is not about feelings, it is about showing South Africans that we have rights and that we must show that people cannot just trample on them.”

Mazzone added: “The caucus had lost faith in De Lille as she had repeatedly breached the code of conduct as well as the constitution of the DA, and had brought the DA into disrepute and breached the conditions of her suspension.”

Meanwhile, former deputy president of the African Christian Democratic Party Pastor Louis Green has created the Stop the DA from Ousting Patricia de Lille as Mayor Campaign. It has accumulated over 1 595 signatures.

Said Green: “The campaign started after I noticed a few stories about De Lille and I saw what she was going through…”

The DA’s federal executive will announce its decision on Thursday.