Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Face-off intensifies across the blue divide
“Can the words used in the McKaiser interview justify her hurried removal on May 8?” asked Mpofu.
The court heard that acting mayor, Ian Neilsen, had not formed a new mayoral committee as he was waiting on the outcome of the court proceedings.
Mpofu argued it was unlawful to remove De Lille’s membership of her “chosen” party, remove her from her position on the DA council and remove her from her mayoral position.
He argued that the DA should have put the motion before party council for a decision.
He also labelled the vote of no confidence in De Lille on February HUNDREDS of chanting supporters and detractors of axed Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille descended on the steps of the Western Cape High Court yesterday.
The face-off intensified when the group of about 300 De Lille supporters were joined by toyi-toying ANC members who demanded that the DA reverse its decision on De Lille.
Mkhululi Slatsha, a De Lille supporter, told the Weekend Argus that Strand residents would not accept the axing.
“If they fire her then they fire us as her supporters. We, as the residents of Pholile, have been very happy with the mayor. For example, since she stepped in we have been able to get services such as water, toilets and now electricity is being put in,” he explained.
On the other side of the blue divide, Zoliswa Xulu from Crossroads disputed that De Lille had provided services to the people of Cape Town.
“The broader Cape Town community has never been a priority to her. She has always delivered services to a certain group of people and we believe that it is now time for change and she must go. The party is bigger than her and we will not allow one person to hold the party to ransom. A classic example of her loyalty is the large number of ANC supporters who have come here today. It is all the people she has given jobs to instead of us, DA supporters,” said Xulu.
By lunchtime, the anti-De Lille camp, which allegedly included some rent-a-crowd supporters, had dissolved and De Lille was greeted warmly when she stepped out of the court.
15 as a “farce” and “subterfuge”. Mpofu lambasted the party for failing to provide any proof of wrongdoing on the part of De Lille.
“No harm has been done to the DA. No harm has been done to the city. There isn’t even an allegation of wrongdoing, not even a finding of wrongdoing,” said Mpofu.
Mpofu, also criticised the actions of Selfe, saying, “Selfe did it by himself ”, which caused laughter in the packed courtroom.
Rosenberg told the court that the party had reacted to a “public declaration” by De Lille during a radio interview of her intention to resign from the party .
The advocate called De Lille’s motion for interim relief “radical”.
“De Lille will hold a DA seat, job and office and this is a person who indicated that she will leave the party and she has indicated that she will not submit herself to party disciplinary processes,” said Rosenberg.
He disagreed with Mpofu that De Lille had been elected by the people of Cape Town. “Seats on the council are allocated based on the support the party enjoys in the city. De Lille is estranged from the party.”
This statement prompted a question from Judge Monde Samela: “This situation has been like this for a while. How will two more weeks prejudice the DA?”
Rosenberg admitted that De Lille’s alleged intention to resign represented a threat to the DA.