Mazibuko seen at ANC debate

FORMER DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko has ruffled some feathers in the DA after she was spotted at an ANC event addressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

In a tweet Mazibuko revealed she was invited to the event by ANC elections head Fikile Mbalula, who she affectionately referred to as “Razzmatazz”.

Mazibuko was spotted sitting next to ANC national executive committee member Ronald Lamola at the gathering of academics and professionals in conversation with Ramaphosa in Joburg,

Some senior DA leaders anonymously expressed discomfort over Mazibuko’s presence at the event.

Former DA leader, and Western Cape Premier Helen Zille who recruited Mazibuko into the DA, asked whether she was surprised at her former protege’s presence the meeting simply replied: “No”.

But some MPs of the DA have expressed concern after a picture of Mazibuko, seated next to Lamola, spread like wildfire on several party Whatsapp groups.

Within the DA there is widespread speculation that Mazibuko is contemplating a return to Parliament and will subject herself to the party’s selection process for prospective MPs, which is currently underway.

Embattled Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said: “Lindiwe is a business woman in her own right.

“She attended the event in her capacity as a business person, and as a professional. I am sure other business people who belong to other political parties attended the event.

“I have great respect for her. She once made a statement to say that we must all honour our paths, but we must design our future. What she wants to do with her political career is up to her,” said De Lille.

Mazibuko left active politics in 2014 to study at Harvard University in the US. At that time, DA leader Mmusi Maimane and Mazibuko were both gunning for the position of parliamentary leader in the party.

Mazibuko has on numerous occasions repeatedly denied her exit had anything to do with her differences with Zille.

She did not respond to requests for comment.