Gauteng DA leader John Moodey resigns from party
A tearful John Moodey has announced his resignation from the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Moodey, who was the party’s leader in Gauteng and a federal leadership candidate, made the announcement at a press conference on Wednesday.
He joined the party back in 1998 and has been a member of the Gauteng legislature since 2004.
Moodey joins a growing list of high-profile members who have left the official opposition, including former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba and former party leader Mmusi Maimane.
He told reporters that the party's failure to address comments made by federal chair Hellen Zille shows the party is no longer the same.
“I have regrettably and after much soul-searching reached the point where I am unable to defend this insensitive utterances and statements.
“The party’s lack of principle in failing to appropriately deal with the issue redress in this unequal society we find ourselves in speaks of the direction it is going into.”
Moodey said he no longer feels at home in the DA.
"I am deeply saddened, uncomfortable and I am no longer at home in the Democratic Alliance. To stay on for the sake of earning a salary is not an option for me.”
Listen to John Moodey here:
He also mentioned claims by Zille, that more racist laws have been passed by Parliament since 1994 than during apartheid, as particularly hurtful.
"This statement has and is causing harm to the DA brand and racial harm to South Africa, yet she remains in her office.
“Those 'racist' laws were passed in Parliament. Where were members of the Democratic Alliance to oppose those laws if they are racist?”
