DA leader John Steenhuisen. Picture: Gallo Images/Sowetan/Veli Nhlapo
The Democratic Alliance (DA) interim leader John Steenhuisen has alleged that the resignation of former DA Gauteng leader John Moodey was based on the latter avoiding disciplinary action after he was charged with misconduct “in his attempt to frame a senior politician in a jobs-for-sex scandal”.
Earlier on Thursday 3 September, the DA announced its decision to release documents in connection with various cases that served before the Party’s Federal Legal Commission (FLC) against Moodey “in the interest of transparency and fairness”.
During the media briefing, Steenhuisen argued that Moodey’s resignation was an attempt to deflect attention from the “real reasons for his resignation”.
UPDATE: Moodey denies resigning to avoid disciplinary action in ‘sex-for-jobs’ scandal
The interim leader accused Moodey to have used the “race card and played dirty politics” during his time at the DA.
“It is very clear he sought to deflect attention from himself by defaming erstwhile colleagues, playing the race card and seeking to inflict as much damage on the party on his way to the door by spreading these mistruths and rumours,” Steenhuisen said.
“As a party of due process, the same rules apply to everyone,” said Steenhuisen.
ALSO READ: John Moodey tearfully resigns from DA, says doesn’t feel at home anymore
Steenhuisen confirmed that in a smear campaign attempt, Moodey allegedly bribed two councillors in the DA’s Ekurhuleni branches to make false allegations regarding the “sex scandal” against a senior politician.
It is said Moodey had promised the two first-time councillors a promotion on the candidates list for the 2021 local government elections.
“The charges include misconduct for his ‘concoction’ of the jobs-for-sex scandal, which also relate to interviews he had with media houses in the run-up to the federal leader elections October in 2019.
“We did not want this to go public, but we cannot allow a false set of circumstances to prevail.
“The charges are serious, and proceedings were set to be heard internally in the near future, but it looks like Moodey has chosen to leave so he can avoid disciplinary charges,” he added.
He revealed that the investigation into Moodey’s conduct was finalised in July, as the DA was in possession of phone recordings that incriminated Moodey in the case.
However, he further said that the other members involved in the matter were not to be named due to the ongoing investigation.
Steenhuisen also rubbished claims of a purge, a decision to no longer grow the party and racial tensions playing out in the DA.
“It’s very easy to play the race card on your way out. I do find it strange that, up until yesterday, Mr Moodey wanted to lead this organisation,” said Steenhuisen, who also questioned why the former federal leader hopeful had wanted to be at the helm of it, if it was so problematic.
He said the DA’s policies, values and principles have not changed at all over the past five to six years, along with its desire to be the party of national governance.
“I never want to be a leader of an organisation that was competing for second place all the time, it defeats the purpose of politics,” he said.
On Wednesday, a tearful Moodey announced his resignation from the DA, abandoning his leadership race for the party’s top position.
Moodey was one of three party members set to battle it out for the party leader position, alongside Steenhuisen and KwaZulu-Natal MPL Mbali Ntuli.
READ MORE: Ntuli challenges Steenhuisen to public debates in DA leadership race
His sudden resignation follows those of former DA leader Mmusi Maimane and former Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba in 2019.
Moodey also criticised chairperson of the party’s federal council Helen Zille over her tweets and talked about a deliberate campaign which was started to get rid of then DA leader Maimane.
Meanwhile, the DA’s Gauteng caucus leader Solly Msimanga was appointed to the position of acting provincial leader.
Msimanga is a former provincial chairperson.
He is also the leader of the official opposition in the Gauteng legislature and has a “vast knowledge of the party and has held various leadership positions within the province”.
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
