GOOD Statement by Shaun August
GOOD National Organiser and Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament
24 November 2022
The latest developments in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament has once again exposed the two sets of rules – seemingly based on race – used by the Democratic Alliance in matters related to the disciplining leadership.
This comes as the party membership of Speaker, Hon. Masizole Mnqasela has been terminated by the DA amid the tussle between party and himself which continues to intensify.
As talks grew of an impending motion of no confidence against the embattled speaker, the DA decided to strip him of his membership, which threatens his position as Speaker of the WC Legislature, seeing that he serves at the behest of his party in this position.
The great cleanse has been the DA’s modus operandi since it started waging a losing war against former City of Cape Town Mayor, Patricia de Lille. Thereafter many other prominent black leaders were equally purged from various ranks within the DA.
Considering that both the Speaker, Hon. Masizole Mnqasela and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Beverley Schafer appeared before the Conduct Committee in relation to alleged misconduct on their parts, the DA remains hell-bent on ousting the one, while the other remains protected.
Allegations of wrongdoing must in both cases be investigated without fear or favour and if it’s found that politicians enriched themselves at the expense of the poor, the rule of law must be applied strongly.
The Speaker is being probed for allegations of misuse of subsistence, travel, and entertainment allowances. Meanwhile, his deputy is being investigated for wasteful expenditure to the amount of R158,297.86 for using a luxury state-owned vehicle when the official legislature rule book did not allow for this.
Yet until now, the Deputy Speaker has not paid the money to the legislature as a fine for this transgression, nor has she made a commitment to honour it.
It seems the DA has its eye set on the goal; to get rid of Mr. Mnqasela at all costs, while their Deputy, who has equally damning findings against her, is being shielded her from accountability, even in the face of upholding the Constitution and the rule of law.
Media Enquiries:
Shaun August, GOOD National Organiser & Member of Western Cape Provincial Parliament
Cell: 074 746 7378
Email: shauna@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 0733671223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za