While the DA is busy deciding who is likely to be our new premier, the party is also still desperately trying to deal with the Patricia de Lille matter.
And it seems the ship may well be turning very slowly, especially after the huge loss the party suffered in the Western Cape High Court last week.
Not only did it lose the De Lille matter, the court ruled that the party’s federal legal commission was illegally constituted.
What that means is that every decision made by the commission must now be set aside.
It’s like a thief going to court to appeal his sentence and then instead being given a heavier sentence; plus a fine.
So don’t let the DA downplay how significant and embarrassing the ruling is.
While the party is now deciding whether to appeal the ruling or not, Mmusi Maimane is believed to be in secret talks with De Lille to see how they can kiss and make up; or more accurately, kiss and say goodbye amicably.
This is as much talks about an out-of-court settlement, as it is about the DA trying to save face.
There is a number of the party’s executive who believe the De Lille matter has been seriously blundered, something many of us have been trying to point out for months.
But I still see social media posts from some DA faithful talking about “overwhelming evidence” against De Lille.
My argument remains, stop the propaganda and show us this “overwhelming evidence”.
If there is such a strong case to be made against De Lille, why weren’t all the procedures followed correctly?
And why are there secret negotiations taking place with someone who is supposedly so corrupt, among other things?
Is it because the DA has realised that they have made a serious mistake to allow a few individuals to set and run with an anti-De Lille agenda?
And now with elections looming, they risk a huge backlash from the voters, unless they deal with De Lille fairly.
Since the party is now looking for a new premier to replace Helen Zille, I’m wondering whether Aunty Pat is going to use these secret talks to demand that she be considered for the job.
After all, there is a precedent in that Zille was the mayor before she became the premier. Can you just imagine that?
Premier Patricia de Lille! It’s got a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
But this is going to irk all the right people in the DA.