A group of disgruntled Democratic Alliance councillors led by the party’s former North West deputy provincial leader Shangy Mbekwa have registered a new political party to contest all municipalities in the coming local government elections.
Mbekwa‚ caucus leader in the Moretele municipality‚ caucus whip Ditaba Sankwana‚ as well as caucus secretary Mmabodila Mogale resigned from the party last month to form Agenda to Citizenry Governors (ACG).
The Independent Electoral Commission confirmed that the party’s application for registration had been received and was being processed.
Mbekwa‚ founder of the new party‚ said the DA leadership had failed to resolve their grievances of factionalism‚ cliques and disregard for branches in decision-making‚ raised since 2011.
“Factionalism has become culture in the DA‚ something that was alien to the party. In fact‚ factionalism is now encouraged and nurtured at top level‚” he said.
Mbekwa said decisions were unilaterally taken at federal executive level with consulting with branches‚ resulting in the exodus of members to rivals like EFF and some just quit politics.
According to Mogale‚ the DA looked good outside but inside it was unfriendly.
“One has to be connected or close to a particular leader to feel important and part of the organisation. We took our grievances to the federal council chair (James Selfe) but this was never addressed so we decided to go at it alone‚” he said.
Selfe could not be reached for comment.
According to the IEC‚ a total of 49 new parties have been registered between October 2015 and February this year.
A total of 35 of the new parties‚ 12 of these in Kwazulu-Natal‚ are registered to contest specific municipalities while 14 are registered to contest at national level.
DA councillors form breakaway party over 'factionalism'
Mbekwa‚ caucus leader in the Moretele municipality‚ caucus whip Ditaba Sankwana‚ as well as caucus secretary Mmabodila Mogale resigned from the party last month to form Agenda to Citizenry Governors (ACG).
The Independent Electoral Commission confirmed that the party’s application for registration had been received and was being processed.
Mbekwa‚ founder of the new party‚ said the DA leadership had failed to resolve their grievances of factionalism‚ cliques and disregard for branches in decision-making‚ raised since 2011.
“Factionalism has become culture in the DA‚ something that was alien to the party. In fact‚ factionalism is now encouraged and nurtured at top level‚” he said.
Mbekwa said decisions were unilaterally taken at federal executive level with consulting with branches‚ resulting in the exodus of members to rivals like EFF and some just quit politics.
According to Mogale‚ the DA looked good outside but inside it was unfriendly.
“One has to be connected or close to a particular leader to feel important and part of the organisation. We took our grievances to the federal council chair (James Selfe) but this was never addressed so we decided to go at it alone‚” he said.
Selfe could not be reached for comment.
According to the IEC‚ a total of 49 new parties have been registered between October 2015 and February this year.
A total of 35 of the new parties‚ 12 of these in Kwazulu-Natal‚ are registered to contest specific municipalities while 14 are registered to contest at national level.
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