Home » De Lille Resigns in ‘Mutual Agreement’ with DA Over Cape Town Leadership

De Lille Resigns in ‘Mutual Agreement’ with DA Over Cape Town Leadership

Mmusi Maimane, Leader of the Democratic Alliance, has announced that the DA and Patricia de Lille have reached a mutual agreement which resolves the question of the leadership of the DA government in Cape Town. The agreement is that De Lille has agreed to officially resign as the mayor of Cape Town, effective 31 October […]

By Wendy Mothata
06-08-18 13:06
in News

Mmusi Maimane, Leader of the Democratic Alliance, has announced that the DA and Patricia de Lille have reached a mutual agreement which resolves the question of the leadership of the DA government in Cape Town.

The agreement is that De Lille has agreed to officially resign as the mayor of Cape Town, effective 31 October 2018. And the DA has decided to withdraw all internal disciplinary charges against De Lille.

Maimane made the announcement at a media briefing with De Lille on Sunday.

He said both parties wanted a resolution, and that he believes the outcome is in the best interests of Capetonians.

“This is an opportunity for the City of Cape Town DA caucus to take stock, to regroup and to unite. The process to elect a new Mayor will begin immediately, with more details available in due course.”

He said the DA had had to consider the allegations against De Lille because of their pride in “clean government”.

“It is never easy to take action against one of your own. But I am confident that, throughout this painful period, we have acted in the best interests of the citizens we serve.”

Maimane said: “I also want to state that the DA has made a decision to withdraw all internal disciplinary charges against Patricia de Lille. Any other investigations that are taking place in the city fall outside this particular agreement.”

Maimane said the agreement allows them to “close a difficult chapter in our history”.

He said: “The DA acknowledges that the Mayor has led the DA’s government in the City of Cape Town since 2011, and has for the most part done so with distinction. The team she has led has achieved four clean audits and has helped the City of Cape Town to its pre-eminent position as the leading metro in South Africa.

“She has been a colleague, friend and loyal member of the DA for nearly a decade.”

With this agreement, De Lille will remain a member of the DA.

De Lille took to Twitter to assure the public that she did not make any deal with the DA.

“I want to assure South Africans that I did not make a deal with the DA. I took the personal decision to resign because I could no longer take the consistent abuse. It was a very difficult decision and I trust that everyone will understand.”

In a statement pasted on Twitter De Lille said she has always maintained her innocence, and now that the “charges against me have been withdrawn, I can get on with my life”.

Maimane said: “This has been a long and difficult journey. The matter has already gone on for too long and has sapped the energies and attentions of both parties from our core work‚ for which we apologise.”

The outgoing mayor said: “While I have been fighting for my rights to prove my innocence‚ and although I was ready to proceed with my disciplinary hearing‚ I also realise that this fight between myself and the DA cannot continue forever.”

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