De Lille accuses DA of insulting the court’s intelligence
The legal team representing Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille says the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) cessation clause is clearly inconsistent with the country’s Constitution, and hearing over the matter is insulting the court’s intelligence.
"We are here for one reason only, the DA's contrived attempts to get rid of Patricia de Lille,” said her advocate, Dali Mpofu.
He told the Western Cape High Court “we should not be sitting here” because it is a matter that should be resolved politically and not through the courts as it “does not belong here”.
It is a political and not a legal matter, the court heard.
A full bench heard arguments by Mpofu, arguing the validity and constitutionality of the so-called ‘de Lille-clause’ on Monday.
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The party rescinded her membership after a radio interview where she said that she would resign as soon as she is able to clear her name.
He said that it would be inconsistent with the Constitution’s rights to freedom of speech, fairness and her right to hold office.
"They are intentionally wanting to jeopardise her rights and continue to vilify her in the public eye, so that even if she were to go to the so-called civil society, she would go there tainted."
The judges will also preside over the Cape Town council's vote last week to demote her to being a ceremonial mayor.