Resign or face the music, De Lille
CAPE TOWN Mayor Patricia de Lille has confirmed that she received a letter from the DA requesting her to resign or face disciplinary steps.
She has until Monday to say why she shouldn’t resign as mayor.
De Lille’s spokesperson, Zara Nicholson, said: “The mayor saw the reports and the statements made. She has also received a letter from the party (DA). She is currently consulting with her lawyers. Once she has consulted with her lawyers, she will make it public.”
The DA could not be reached for comment yesterday.
James Selfe, chairperson of the DA’s federal executive, did not reply to emails and several calls.
Letters had reportedly been sent to Council Speaker Dirk Smit, and Shaun August, DA chief whip in the City.
Approached for comment, August said: “Eish, I cannot talk about matters of the party.”
Smit declined to comment, but said he was aware of the allegations against him.
“I respect the party’s processes and we will have to follow those processes.
“Respectfully I am not going to respond to the content of the report.” He said he was aware of the December 18 deadline.
Mayoral committee member for security JP Smith reported the mayor to the DA over the suspension of the special investigative unit under his control.
De Lille had moved to clip the wings of the unit, saying it was usurping the work of the police and was probing councillors.
But Smith charged in a letter to DA leader Mmusi Maimane, leaked to the media, that De Lille wanted to see the back of the unit because it was about to expose her corrupt upgrading of security and private building work at her home at the state’s expense.
Both Smith and the mayor were suspended from party activities. Yesterday Smith declined to comment when approached.