Deep cracks laid bare
OVER the past few weeks, Mmusi Maimane has been facing scathing attacks from some displeased senior members within the DA.
It is without a doubt that some within the DA want Maimane out, as they blame him for the DA’s poor results during the 2019 elections.
Helen Zille’s return to the leadership of the DA is a signal that Maimane’s second term as the leader of the DA could be coming to an end.
Zille, who is known as the “Iron Lady” of South African politics, needs no further introduction.
She has always maintained her stance against race-based politics and has repeatedly emphasised that the DA should review its policies that redress the legacy of apartheid such as Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). However, Maimane disagrees with Zille’s view.
In February, he came out guns blazing, when some members of the federal council attempted to reintroduce the debate on BEE, when the council sat to mull over the party’s manifesto.
Maimane and Zille have not seen eye to eye ever since Zille’s colonialism comments, which led to Maimane admitting, last year, that it was a big mistake to keep Zille in the decision-making structures of the DA, after she had stepped down as party leader.
During Sunday’s press conference, Zille emphasised that as chairperson of the federal council, she would have no say on party matters.
She further stated that her role was to guide the mandate during party meetings.
Her responsibilities will also include the day-to-day running of the party and for preparations for both the policy conference, which will be held later this year, and the early federal congress, which will be held next year.
It is clear that Zille still has major influence within the DA.
Her supporters will most likely challenge those who are supporting Maimane’s policies such as BEE at the party’s policy conference.
Should Zille’s supporters be successful in changing the party’s policies that they are unhappy with, it could result in a change in dynamics for Maimane.
A win for Zille’s backers at the party’s policy conference could give them the upper hand in the party’s early elective congress.
Unfortunately, I do not see Maimane surviving the strong resistance that he is currently faced with from some senior members in the DA.
Speculation is rife that a report of the organisational review panel, which was commissioned to investigate the party’s dismal performance in elections has, among many proposals, recommended that Maimane step down.
However, Maimane has reiterated that the DA’s constitution does not have a recall clause.
He insists that leaders can only be removed at congress, which is held every three years.
The resignation of Herman Mashaba as Johannesburg mayor following Zille’s election as the party’s federal chairperson, is a clear sign that there is a major problem within the DA.
This could cost the party in the 2021 elections.