The DA’s federal committee on Wednesday afternoon formally laid charges against Western Cape Premier Helen Zille for her remarks on colonialism, federal chairperson James Selfe confirmed.<\/p>\n
“Helen Zille received her charges this afternoon,” Selfe told News24.<\/p>\n
“She is charged with having broadly brought the party into disrepute and damaging the party.”<\/p>\n
Zille’s political career hangs in the balance following a series of tweets on March 16, from which the DA quickly distanced itself.<\/p>\n
One of her tweets read: “For those claiming legacy of colonialism was ONLY negative, think of our independent judiciary, transport infrastructure, piped water etc.”<\/p>\n
A second tweet reads: “Getting onto an aeroplane now and won’t get onto the wi-fi so that I can cut off those who think EVERY aspect of colonial legacy was bad.”<\/p>\n
She later apologised for her comments, saying she never intended to defend colonialism.<\/p>\n
Selfe said the party will set a date for a formal hearing following consultation with Zille’s lawyers.<\/p>\n
The process might take several months to be completed, Selfe said.<\/p>\n
The formal charges against Zille follow an interim report by Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, chairperson of the DA’s federal legal commission, which was completed on March 25.<\/p>\n
“Breytenbach’s preliminary investigation found that Helen had a case to answer,” Selfe said.<\/p>\n
“The report served in front of the federal executive and the executive accepted the report.”<\/p>\n
Zille is a member of the federal executive, but the DA said she would be excused when the report against her is discussed.<\/p>\n