By Kaya 959 News
Just weeks after Phumzile van Damme resigned as a DA MP, two more councillors have tendered their resignation.
In a joint media statement, former MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management Mike Mkhari and PR councillor in Soshanguve Rose Maake, said they were resigning with immediate effect.
The pair accused the party’s “white cabal” of using regional leader Mpho Mehlape-Zimu to fight their battles.
They said she was being used as a political pawn to sideline black leaders.
They said the DA has a tendency of using black people to destroy each other.
“…some of our colleagues see it but they are afraid to speak out. We will not be part of the people who accept these standards,” they said.
The pair claimed that Mehlape-Zimu was placed in her position to sideline others and further the agenda of “the white elite”.
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Mehlape-Zimu denies allegations
In a media statement, Mehlape-Zimu, slammed the councillors’ allegations.
She said Mkhari and Maake tendered their resignations following a disciplinary process.
She explained that non-performing councillors in Tshwane were issued letters to improve their performance.
“This was further as a result of the constituency being placed under administration due to non-performance and infighting for more than 12 months now,” she said.
“This was further as a result of the constituency being placed under administration due to non-performance and infighting for more than 12 months now,” she added.
Mehlape-Zimu said the allegations were disingenuous.
“It is regrettable that these councillors resigned rather than making an effort to improve their performance and continue serving the Tshwane residents who elected them through the DA in 2016,” she said.
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Van Damme leaves on her own terms
Last month, van Damme resigned as an MP for the DA.
She said her decision was not an easy one and was done “with a heavy heart”.
In her statement, van Damme said she was leaving on her own terms. However, she added that her resignation was because of a clique of individuals.
“I leave on my own terms, having made my own decision. Nonetheless, in a climate of rumours and the need to create heroes and villains, my resignation as an MP is not because the DA is a so-called “racist party” but because of a clique of individuals – and in order not to make the good women and men still in the DA suffer, I will not delve further into this,” van Damme said.
She added that she is focused on the future and will not be conducting interviews.
“Nor will I be drawn into any negativity that may emanate from the DA. Should the party choose to destroy my reputation and impugn my character, I will not engage in a back-and forth. My good record of service and work speaks for itself, and I will not partake in any gunfights I am called to be part of,” she said.
Despite her resignation, van Damme stressed that she was still a member of the DA.
