Phumzile Van Damme resigns as DA MP, quits party
Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Phumzile Van Damme has resigned from the opposition benches.
Van Damme joins a list of several other high-profile DA leaders to quit the party.
On Thursday, she announced her amicable split from the party in a 2-page letter.
Van Damme says her resignation is not because the DA is a so-called racist party, but a due to a clique of individuals.
She admits she’s leaving with a sore heart.
“This was not an easy decision to make, and it is done so with a heavy heart,” Van Damme wrote.
“I leave on my own terms, having made my own decision.”
It’s unclear whether an alleged racist attack on her in Cape Town played a role.
In a series of tweets Van Damme said that for three years, a blatant lie had been repeatedly perpetuated that she beat up a child at the V&A Waterfront.
She added she’s currently in a legal battle with the party, with some members intent on punishing her for defending herself.
“To be clear, I will not be joining another political party nor will I nor will use my time to launch attacks on the DA,” Van Damme said.
The DA accepted her resignation.
“We extend our best wishes to Phumzile and thank her for her extraordinary service to the DA in Parliament and by extension, the country,” said DA spokesperson Siviwe Gwarube.
“From taking on Bell Pottinger, fighting for an independent SABC and her tenure as DA National Spokesperson - Phumzile demonstrated her talent as a political communicator and a parliamentarian.”
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