THURSDAY, 8.30AM
FW DE KLERK, widely believed to have fallen out with his heir apparent Roelf Meyer, announced last night that he was scrapping Meyer’s task group investigating the possibility of forming a new party.
The decision is a victory for the party’s Western Cape right-wing, which opposes radical changes to the party. Meyer, former secretary general of the party, now has no national-level executive post — and there is speculation that he may quit and join forces with Bantu Holomisa. “I will have to consider my position, but will first consult with party structures in Gauteng” he said.
Meyer’s problems started on Monday at an executive meeting which dismissed his proposal to disband the party as the first step to a new party. Meyer was then quoted in the press, remarking that his opponents in the Western Cape could “go it alone” . He was quickly repudiated, but denied making the remark.
De Klerk said last night that he was abandoning he task force to correct perceptions that it had moved outside the party, and because “it has become so controversial that tensions have developed inside the party”.
A delighted Western Cape premier Hernus Kriel backed the decision: “It’s a wise decision …. it’s the way to go.” National Consultative Forum leader Bantu Holomisa reacted by opening the door to Meyer, saying: he hoped he would seriously consider his position with the view to forming a new party.