EFF says DA is ‘playing’ with Zille suspension

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has rejected the decision by the Democratic Alliance (DA) to temporarily suspend Western Cape Premier Helen Zille from party activities as playful.

EFF national spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said this decision meant the DA cared more about itself than it did about the people of South Africa because Zille would continue to be premier of the Western Cape.

“Any suspension that does have an implication on her position as premier is futile and irrelevant to the rest of the people. If her disciplinary process means it is important that she does not participate in DA activities, why is this not also the case with government?

“What makes DA decision-making structures more important than the people’s government structures that she presides over as premier?” Ndlozi asked.

He said the logic of the democratic system meant the people voted for the DA and not Zille.

“She is meant to receive mandate from the party. The DA is demonstrating incapacity for administering justice and prioritising the people of South Africa.

“Helen Zille’s racist comments for which she is being subjected to a disciplinary process offended the people of South Africa. By not protecting the people of South Africa, the DA, like the ANC, is choosing the party and an individual above the people,” he added.

Ndlozi said if Zille was not worthy to be in DA party activities and meetings during her disciplinary process, the same must apply with provincial government structures.

The DA has explained that Zille’s removal as premier follows a different set of rules than those set out for her disciplinary matter within the party, since premiers are elected by the legislature.

If she loses her party membership, she will also lose the premiership.