City of Cape Town Mayor Patricia De Lille has been suspended from all party activities. She has been asked by the Democratic Alliance (DA) to provide reasons as to why she should not resign as mayor.
This follows an investigation by a SA-sub-committee into allegations of maladministration in the city and conflict within its city caucus.
The investigation has now been concluded and there is adequate cause for concern over De Lille’s leadership, said the DA.
Both De Lille and mayoral committee member JP Smith were placed on suspension in October after differences over the closure of a special investigating unit became a public quarrel.
The DA says its sub-committee, which was tasked with investigating tensions within its city caucus, has found ample management and governance-related issues that are negatively affecting the running of the city.
“A sub-committee was set up by the federal executive chaired by John Steenhuisen that sub-committee has now completed its work and tabled its report to the federal executive. Based on the content of that report, the federal executive is of the opinion that the mayor of Cape Town needed to be suspended from party activities.”
Patricia De Lille has now been asked by the party’s federal executive to defend her position as mayor.
The DA says to ensure the efficient running of the city, it is imperative that it gets to the bottom of the allegations against De Lille. The party said it would make leadership changes if necessary.
James Selfe, federal executive chairperson, says that De Lille and Smith will remain suspended for now, and no further action has been taken against them.
“Until the matter has been completely settled, it is desirable for the protagonists not to be stirring up emotions on either side.”
Selfe said the matter will be discussed at the next meeting of the federal executive next week.
Photography SA History