Zille to vacate positions on all DA decision-making structures

She landed herself in hot water after tweeting that colonialism was not all bad. 

DA leader Mmusi Maimane has announced Zille will step down from all DA decision-making structures, but will remain premier of the Western Cape. 

The announcement at a media briefing this morning, follows the DA's federal executive meeting last night.

Maimane says the decision for Zille to step down was not an easy one.

"There is no room in this party for those who seek to divide. Zille realizes her tweet was offensive to black South Africans. She is now prepared to apologise which I requested she do," he says. 

In her statement, Zille apologises for her subsequent defense of her controversial tweets.

She maintains she is open-minded and has thus changed her position on the matter. 

Last week, the DA announced Zille had been temporarily suspended from all party-related activities pending a conclusion of a disciplinary hearing.