By Kaya 959 News
UPDATE: Phumzile van Damme has clarified that she is still a member of the DA. More details here.
Phumzile van Damme has resigned from the DA and as a member of Parliament. In a statement issued, van Damme said she had come to the decision on her own terms.
“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 to not make the good women and men still in the DA suffer, I will not delve into this,” she said.
Van Damme said she leaves with a sore heart and thanked those who stood with her during her tenure at MP.
“I am focused on the future and will therefore 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 gun fights I am called to be part of,” she said.
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“I will not partake in gunfights”
“I am focused on the future and will therefore 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,” Van Damme said.
“I will continue with my work on the growing dangers and influence of misinformation in society and spend some much needed time writing my memoirs,” she added.
Van Damme served as the DA’s shadow Minister of Communications and Parliamentary Whip. She made it clear that politics is now firmly behind her.
“To be clear, I will not be joining another political party, nor will I be using my time to launch attacks on the DA,” she said.
She said she will continue with her work on the dangers and influence of misinformation in society and spend some much-needed time writing memoirs.
DA accepts resignation
The DA has duly accepted Van Damme’s resignation.
“We extend our best wishes to Phumzile and thank her for her extraordinary service to the DA in Parliament and by extension, the country,” he said.
“The DA wishes Phumzile well in her future endeavours,” Gwarube said.
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
Van Damme VS Steenhuisen
Van Damme has been open about her relationship with party leader, John Steenhuisen.
Last year, in a series of tweets, Van Damme accused Steenhuisen of using her illness to sideline her.
In December, she tweeted that Steenhuisen informed her that he was granting her a sabbatical.
“I didn’t request it. He merely informed me. I could walk away but I choose to stay, and challenge it ON PRINCIPLE,” she said.
I have been informed by the Federal Leader of the DA @jsteenhuisen that he is granting me a sabbatical. I didn’t request it. He merely informed me. I could walk away, but I choose to stay, and challenge it ON PRINCIPLE.
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) December 4, 2020
She said she was open about being sick.
Van Damme said she was on leave for three months, ending December 15.
She said she informed the Chief Whip that she would focus on her committee work while on sick leave.
“I disclosed my illness even though I didn’t need to. So it is being used against me to sidelline me. K,” she said.
Did I drop the ball while I was sick? No. Even when I was sick, like I do when I am well, did I still outperform many of my colleagues? Yes. I asked for no sabbatical. I determine my health. My Drs determine my health. Not my employer.
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) December 4, 2020
