Hardliners in DA reportedly considering breakaway party

City Press reported on Sunday that several senior leaders in the opposition DA have been consulting about forming a “true liberal party”.

The talk is that former DA leader Helen Zille has been approached to lead the new formation, but she could not be drawn to comment.

It’s understood that some in the party are concerned that the DA is losing its character as a liberal party due to its need to appeal to a broader base, particularly among black voters.

DA founder leader Tony Leon said it was only natural that the party would be experiencing an identity crisis after a growth spurt, while MP Phumzile van Damme was dismissive of the rumours.

She said they came about prior to every election season, but nothing ever materialised.

The party has been divided over its handling of Patricia de Lille’s disciplinary case as well as comments by leader Mmusi Maimane about race and transformation.

Maimane was taken to task earlier this month by his three most senior DA colleagues in parliament over his comments on white privilege made during a rally on Freedom Day last month.

The meeting had apparently been described by party insiders as an “orchestrated attack” on Maimane.

He has subsequently made further comments on race, including on the Ashwin Willemse SuperSport walkout saga.

The strife within the DA is threatening its ambitions of forcing a coalition government in next year’s elections, as analysts have said that President Cyril Ramaphosa appears to be making headway in getting the ANC’s traditional support base to come out and vote ANC again.

City Press said it was aware of at least five prominent MPs who were involved in asking the Institute of Race Relations for advice on starting a new liberal party. The institute’s Frans Cronje confirmed three meetings have taken place.

He advised them they’d need a “big name” to join them if they hoped to succeed.