Madikizela asks for leniency over qualifications debacle
Blames exposé to fight for mayorship
Embattled DA Western Cape leader Bonginkosi Madikizela has pleaded with the party not to destroy his political career after he admitted to having misrepresented his qualifications.
Madikizela is currently on suspension as MEC for transport and stepped aside as the official opposition’s leader after he was caught lying about holding a BCom degree.
Madikizela, who is currently being probed by the party’s Federal Legal Commission (FLC), said he was meeting with the legal team of premier Alan Winde’s office today to discuss his current 14-day suspension from the provincial cabinet.
“I am prepared for any sanction that the party or the premier wants to give me because there is no need to be defensive or to be arrogant.
“I must just own up, take responsibility and apologise for this,” he said.
Several DA leaders said due process had to take place in dealing with Madikizela’s qualifications scandal.
DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said: “He is a very close friend of mine and I spoke to him during the course of the week and he asked for time and space to deal with the matter. I think we must get all the facts as the party about this and take it from there without using emotions. Any action that is taken must be fair but must be based on facts, not emotions.”
Madikizela said he hoped that the party would not end his political career over the scandal.
“I certainly hope that whatever outcome or punishment will not condemn me to the dustbin of history because I have contributed so much to the party and the department and I have made a lot of difference in people’s lives,” he said.
He said he knew that those who had exposed him had wanted to frustrate his political ambitions of being the next mayor of Cape Town.