The Independent Democrats on Thursday rubbished claims from Cape Town mayor Helen Zille that ID leader Patricia de Lille had vetoed working with the DA-led coalition city government.
”The ID wishes to state that these are blatant lies, but not inconsistent with the ongoing policy of the DA to discredit the ID,” said Simon Grindrod, leader of the ID in the council.
Grindrod said in a media statement that the ID’s city caucus, including 23 councillors, had on Wednesday night unanimously rejected the offer of the DA to join its coalition.
Earlier on Thursday, Zille, when announcing the nine members to serve on the mayoral committee, said in talks with ID councillors and ordinary members it was clear that there was no unanimity on the question of filling a reserved position for the ID.
”If they were unanimous in their rejection, we would close the door,” Zille said.
”The ID, we learnt, was very keen to accept that offer, but unfortunately it was vetoed at the final minute by the leader of the Independent Democrats,” she claimed.
Zille said the vacant seat, for the amenities and sport portfolio, would be held open as long as possible without it burdening the deputy mayor, Andrew Arnolds, who agreed to fill the position temporarily. — Sapa