Helen Zille has been kicked out of her own party.
The Western Cape Premier was officially suspended from all party-related activities by the DA’s Federal Executive (FedEx) over her colonialism tweets.
The party announced its decision last night, saying the suspension was effective immediately.
However, FedEx chairman James Selfe said Zille will remain the Premier as that was a separate procedural process.
“This morning, the Federal Executive (FedEx) of the Democratic Alliance (DA) decided by an overwhelming majority to officially suspend Ms Helen Zille from party-related activities until such time as her disciplinary hearing is concluded,” he said.
He said the FedEx agreed Zille’s tweets, which said colonialism was not all bad, not only broke down public trust in the party, but also hampered and undermined the party’s political objectives.
Over the weekend, DA leader Mmusi Maimane had announced that Zille had already been suspended.
However, the FedEx then served Zille with a notice of suspension, and gave her three days to make representations as to why she should not be suspended.
Selfe said: “After consideration of Ms Zille’s representations, the FedEx has today taken an official decision to suspend her. The disciplinary hearing will commence this Friday, 9 June 2017.”
“There is no question that Ms Zille’s original tweets and subsequent justifications have damaged our standing in the public mind.”
Zille said she never stood a chance as the FedEx had decided to suspend her.
Calling the entire process a sham, she states: “On 4 June the Sunday Times reported that the entire Fedex had already voted on this issue and hence pre-judged it. Upon checking this matter with individual members of FedEx it was confirmed that the vote was on whether I should be suspended, not whether I should be given 72 hours to give reasons why I should not be suspended.”
Khaya Magaxa, acting provincial ANC chairperson, welcomed the suspension but says Zille should be stripped of her premiership too.
“She was elected as premier as a result of her position in the party, so if the party suspends her they should also remove her as premier. The DA is just playing games with the public.
“Zille made a serious blunder and she should be removed.”