Helen Zille's political career in the balance

The Federal Chair of the Democratic Alliance (DA), James Selfe, confirmed that the party's Federal Committee has fomally charged Zille over her colonialism tweets.

"The DA has referred charges against Helen Zille but we can't elaborate on the matter as it is between the Federal Legal Commission and Zille's attorney," Selfe said.

Zille received major backlash after tweeting about the impact of colonialism, saying it wasn't all bad.

She later apologised for the tweet in which she said colonialism was only negative and one should look at 'our independent judiciary, transport infrastructure and piped water'.

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Leader of the official opposition, Mmusi Maimane, also weighed in, saying Zille's views do not represent that of the party.

"Apartheid was a racist system like colonialism and they should never be justified.  The matter has been referred to the party's Federal Legal Commission," Maimane said.