Madikizela: We must put our differences aside

The Western Cape human settlements MEC was elected to serve as acting leader at a provincial council meeting held in Worcester on Saturday. 

The party's provincial structure has been rocked by allegations that Cape Town mayor and former Western Cape leader, Patricia de Lille, leaked confidential party documents to the media. 

de Lille resigned as the DA's Western Cape leader last month and is being investigated by the party's Federal Legal Commission. 

Following a resounding win at a provincial council meeting in Worcester, Madikizela said it is the start of a very long journey. 

"We have a bigger task at hand. I think (the) celebration stops here," he told a media conference. 

Madikizela beat several other candidates, including party chief whip for Cape Town Shaun August, who is also being investigated alongside de Lille. 

"My colleagues who were contesting, we must now put those minor difference aside to build unity in the party," said Madikizela.

"Because it is the only way for us to be able to be the government in 2019. Internal elections in every party, you know, comes with those differences. But differences and divisions are two things. Whatever differences we might have had must end here today."

DA provincial chairperson Anton Bredell added his voice to the call for unity, saying he unconcerned over recent events.

"I don't have sleepless nights over unity in the party, I promise you that." 

Madikizela will serve as acting leader until the DA's Provincial Congress in August.