Durban — Former KwaZulu-Natal DA leader Zwakele Mncwango has cited the threat of dismissal by Helen Zille as the final straw that made him quit the party.
Mncwango terminated his party membership on Saturday after receiving a warning shot from DA federal chairperson, Zille, who on Friday issued a warning that Mncwango must desist from making unreasonably and disparaging remarks about the party in public or face dismissal.
Speaking to the Daily News on Sunday, Mncwango said he had planned to stay on as a member and keep on raising issues he felt were a problem in growing the party, but Zille’s letter was the final straw and he felt he should leave immediately.
In a letter, seen by the paper, Zille quoted three articles where Mncwango was quoted as saying the party no longer represented the aspirations of the majority as well as accusing the party of not reflecting on the exodus of members.
These quotes “of the DA not representing the majority” prompted Zille to warn Mncwango to stop or face the cessation of his membership.
Mncwango said these quotes were the very reason he had resigned from the legislature – as his intention was to challenge the party for suppressing dissenting voices.
He said it was difficult for him to raise these issues while still earning a salary in the legislature on the DA’s ticket.
Mncwango said he felt that most people were afraid to raise issues in the party because speaking up might result in the loss of an income.
However, Mncwango was threatened with dismissal even though he was speaking as an ordinary member.
“The DA boldly talks about freedom and fairness but practically does the opposite. There is no freedom of expression and fairness in the DA. They keep on saying, ‘raise issues within the party’, but how would people speak up if the environment is not conducive?
“Where is fairness when members are threatened with dismissal when they publicly raise issues of concern? Is it only Zille who must tweet whatever she likes?” said Mncwango.
He said Zille was the last person to warn him about unreasonable and disparaging remarks, after tweeting things that were damaging the party’s reputation and nothing happened to her.
DA national spokesperson Solly Malatsi dismissed Mncwango’s claims, saying it was incorrect that the party lacked freedom of expression.
Although Mncwango could not reveal which party he would join, he confirmed that ActionSA was one of the parties that had been talking to him.
He added that he was spoilt for choice since he was receiving offers from private businesses and NGOs.
Rumours had it that Mncwango will be formally introduced to the KZN ActionSA members in Durban on Wednesday. Mncwango said if he chose to remain in politics he would join the party that shares his values.
Mncwango led the DA in the province for two terms before handing over to Francois Rodgers last year. The sign of his unhappiness with the party started emerging when he was not seen campaigning for the party in last year’s local government elections.
Daily News