By Tamlyn Canham
Phumzile van Damme says she is still a member of the Democratic Alliance (DA) despite resigning as an MP.
“I remain a member of the DA. I have not relinquished my membership, nor have I made an indication that I have,” she told Business Insider.
Van Damme made the clarification after a misunderstanding about her membership following her resignation on Thursday.
I have today tendered my resignation as a DA MP. Thank you so much, South Africa ❤️🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/3Z1N1rSJD5
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) May 20, 2021
Shortly after, the DA said that it had “received and accepted” her resignation “as a Member of Parliament and from the Party”.
“We extend our best wishes to Phumzile and thank her for her extraordinary service to the DA in Parliament and by extension, the country.
“From taking on Bell Pottinger, fighting for an independent SABC and her tenure as DA National Spokesperson – Phumzile demonstrated her talent as a political communicator and a parliamentarian,” the party said in a statement.
Honest mistake?
But Van Damme says there seems to have been some confusion surrounding her resignation.
“I think the party made an honest mistake or misunderstood. I don’t know.”
The DA, meanwhile, has welcomed her reassurance that she is still a member of the party.
Van Damme revealed on Twitter that she will not “publicly throw mud” at anyone in the DA.
“There is an election ahead & I won’t compromise it for those who are and have worked hard. It’s for them I do so. This is my position & made it clear to the leadership. Thank you and that’s all I have to say on the matter.”
I don’t feel like fighting. I won’t fight. Even when invited to a fight, I won’t. I’m not going to roll in mud. For once, I need peace and I choose peace instead of war. Let me live MY life. Dankie ngiyabonga.
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) May 21, 2021



