The Democratic Alliance (DA) has denied reports that it would charge Cape Town’s Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille, for attending a memorial service for Winnie Madikizela-Mandela by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
DA spokesperson, Refiloe Nt’sekhe, said De Lille’s attendance at the EFF-hosted memorial “is a matter between her and the EFF leadership and not the DA”.
The DA, however, would have welcomed a courtesy call to alert the party of the Mayor’s attendance at the event.
DA’s Free State Provincial Leader, Patricia Kopane, was in attendance to commemorate Mama Winnie and to pass on condolences.
Political parties regularly send invitations to the DA to attend events or rallies.
According to De Lille, she attended the memorial service in her own personal capacity because she had previously worked with Madikizela-Mandela and saw her as a friend.
She tweeted: “I am so sad tonight. In my African culture it is customary that you need no permission or invitation to pay your respects to a mother who’s passed on. Rest In Peace Mama Winnie.”
The DA also stated that De Lille is free to move to any political party she wishes, as this is a free democracy. This comes following speculation that her attendance at the EFF-hosted event could spell a party change on the party of the Mayor.
The party refused to be drawn into mud-slinging as they are still mourning the death of Madikizela-Mandela.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane will be paying his last respects at the official funeral this coming weekend, as he had done during a visit to the family home last week.
I am so sad tonight. In my African culture it is customary that you need no permission or invitation to pay your respects to a mother who’s passed on. Rest In Peace Mama Winnie
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) April 12, 2018
I will not succumb to making my attendance at an EFF event a side issue. I went to honour Mama Winnie. I have great respect for Mama Winnie, she was a close friend and I regarded her as a sister. She was a former special colleague of mine. https://t.co/qjylwAvP3W
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) April 12, 2018
We note the reports that the party has taken a decision to charge Cape Town Mayor, Patricia De Lille, over her attendance of the EFF’s Memorial Service in honour of Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
These reports are untrue.https://t.co/VWALYo5dr9
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) April 12, 2018
Picture: Twitter