DA leader Mmusi Maimane is believed to be facing a revolt after several staff members apparently indicated that they wanted to resign on Monday.
According to a DA source, staff members in Maimane’s office were in the process of quitting the party as a result of Twitter statements he had made against Western Cape Premier Helen Zille.
The DA has distanced itself from calls by Zille, who tweeted that she would organise a tax revolt if the Zondo Commission did not result in the imprisonment of corrupt officials.
“I’m waiting to see how many people get prosecuted and land in jail in a reasonable amount of time after the Zondo commission,” she tweeted.
“If they do not, just watch me. I will be organising the #TaxRevolt. I have tried the electoral route for years. Voters seem to like voting for corruption.”
I'm waiting to see how many ppl get prosecuted and land in jail in a reasonable amount of time after the Zondo commission. If they do not, just watch me. I will be organising the #TaxRevolt. I have tried the electoral route for years. Voters seem to like voting for corruption. https://t.co/WNvDpPKND1
— Helen Zille (@helenzille) January 26, 2019
Maimane tweeted yesterday: “I do not support a #taxrevolt. Let’s win the elections and demonstrate proper management of resources of our people’s money.
I do not support a #taxrevolt. Let’s win the elections and demonstrate proper management of resources of our people’s money. Let’s use them for the benefit of all citizens. We will ensure the criminals end up in jail. Use your vote!
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) January 28, 2019
“Let’s use them for the benefit of all citizens. We will ensure the criminals end up in jail. Use your vote!”
According to the well-placed DA source, “many staffers” are upset at Maimane for not backing Zille.
“There is great unhappiness in the core of the party because we are moving away from our true liberal agenda and Mmusi attacking Zille is the straw that broke the camel’s back,” the source says.
However, Maimane’s chief of staff, Geordin Hill-Lewis, says rumours may be in connection with his own move from Maimane’s office.
“There’s no truth to a link with the tweet. I’m going to run the Cape Town Metro campaign to help make sure the DA wins the Western Cape.
“This is my last week in the Leader’s office. Graham Charters will be the chief of staff from next week.”