Bonginkosi Madikizela is gone.
Yesterday, he resigned as the DA’s Western Cape leader, as well as the Western Cape Cabinet, amid a scandal over his academic qualifications.
Premier Alan Winde said he accepted Madikizela’s resignation and would be announcing changes to his cabinet soon.
“I believe that his decision under the circumstances was the right and honourable thing to do,” said Winde.
“Mr. Tertius Simmers will continue to act as Minister of Transport and Public Works, in advance of a further statement I will make on my cabinet composition shortly.”
Madikizela’s stepping down comes after it emerged during a media interview that he had lied about a B.Com degree on his CV.
When the news first broke, he said he took “full responsibility that I didn’t correct the information on my bio”.
“It is true, I didn’t finish my B.Com degree, but that is not a requirement for a political office in South Africa.”
He was to contest the position of Cape Town mayor ahead of this year’s local government elections.
Jaco Londt, the DA provincial chairperson, said: “We wish to thank Bonginkosi for his service as party leader since his election to the position of DA Leader in the Western Cape in 2018.
“We respect his decision and the honourable route he has taken by stepping down as leader... We look forward to working with him as a colleague in the DA going forward.”
He said Albert Fritz will remain the acting provincial leader until the DA elects an interim leader at the provincial council on 29 May.
Madikizela said he has “no comment” following the latest developments.