D-day up for Patricia de Lille

Suspended City of Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille has until Friday to give reasons as to why she should not be kicked to the curb by the Democratic Alliance.

De Lille’s career as mayor has been on tenterhooks since the release of two investigative reports late last year. The reports allege maladministration and political tension within the city’s corridors and even closer to home, such as De Lille’s decision to do away with a special investigations unit headed by now suspended MMC for safety and security JP Smith.

DA Federal Council chairperson James Selfe said yesterday De Lille had until Friday to submit reasons as to why she should not resign.

“Because the mayor asked for an extension we will wait and see what comes and then consider what representation to make and decide accordingly,” Selfe said.

She was granted an extension at this end of December. Selfe stipulated De Lille had “no charges” against her at this stage but questions had been raised emanating from the Steenhuisen report and the City’s investigation into maladministration.

De Lille is not facing the gauntlet alone. Veteran council speaker Dirk Smit and DA chief whip Shaun August are also under fire. Smit and August also have to tell their party and their leader, Mmusi Maimane, why they should not be fired. Their deadline is also Friday.

Smit declined to comment yesterday and referred all questions to Selfe. De Lille and August were not immediately available for comment. De Lille came out publicly last year to say she would fight to keep her post, even if it meant going to the courts.

The Steenhuisen report, penned by DA whip John Steenhuisen, delved into alleged tensions and political management in the city. One of the bones of contention was the rift between De Lille and Smith.

The public spat relates to allegations and insinuations that De Lille shut down the special investigations unit because she felt she was being targeted. This was after Smith intimated that De Lille was linked to possible irregular and corrupt tendered home upgrades to her Pinelands’ residence.

– news@citizen.co.za