DA alleges its members are crossing over to keep ANC in power in Joburg
The DA in Johannesburg has accused former mayor Herman Mashaba of poaching its members and leaders as part of a plot to ensure the country’s economic capital remains in the hands of the ANC.
This comes a er this week’s resignation of the party’s Joburg leader, Funzi Ngobeni, who has joined Mashaba’s political party.
Ngobeni, who was also the leader of the DA’s Joburg caucus, was at the heart of the party’ efforts to wrestle back Johannesburg as a mayoral candidate following Mashaba’s departure.
Ngobeni’s deputy, MP Tsepo Mhlongo, said it was Mashaba’s grand plan to hand Joburg back to the ANC.
There are fears in the DA that more members and leaders could join Mashaba’s party.
“Those that are still in the party are free to join any political party as I believe in freedom of association and their choice. I’m not worried about those who will still be leaving to Mashaba,” he said.
“All the wolves in sheep skin should leave the DA.”
In his resignation letter on Monday, Ngobeni said he knew many in the DA were “battling to come to terms with the trajectory the party has taken lately” and the party had “undergone tremendous internal and external upheaval”.
Ngobeni’s resignation came in the wake of the Gauteng government’s putting the DAled Tshwane municipality under administration, paving the way for a new ANC-EFF coalition.
Mashaba said Mhlongo’s comments were an insult to the intelligence of citizens.
“I’m on record that I’m in this job to unseat the ANC constitutionally. For me it is painful seeing the ANC taking over any municipality, not just Johannesburg,” Mashaba said.
On Thursday, Mashaba officially announced the formation of a new party, saying inputs received during his People’s Dialogue would be analysed and presented at an event on March 24.
“There is lots of interest from all political parties. I would not want to see my initiative being an off spring of the DA. But if there are good candidates coming from
the DA and all other parties, and they are good South Africans who are willing to serve our society and our country, I’m happy to engage them,” he said.
Asked if the DA was not worried about the defection of its members and leaders to Mashaba’s party, DA leader John Steenhuisen said: “People are guaranteed freedom of political association by the constitution; they can join any organisation they wish.”
By George Matlala
