/ 14 May 2018

De Lille-DA judgment to be delivered on Tuesday

De Lille and other councillors are deployed by their political parties but are ultimately elected by the citizens of Cape Town to the city council. — the ANC in the Western Cape
De Lille and other councillors are deployed by their political parties but are ultimately elected by the citizens of Cape Town to the city council. — the ANC in the Western Cape

Judgment in the matter between Patricia de Lille and the Democratic Alliance (DA) regarding the termination of her membership will be delivered on Tuesday.

Judges Patrick Gamble and Monde Samela will make their ruling around lunchtime, News24 reported on Monday.

On Friday, the Western Cape High Court reserved judgment in the matter after counsel for both parties argued why the DA’s decision to terminate De Lille’s membership should be temporarily suspended. The parties had also agreed to discuss the full merits of De Lille’s removal in two weeks’ time, on May 25, with timelines set for the filing of supplementary papers.

Acting Cape Town mayor Ian Neilson will now hold off on appointing the committee until after the judgment is delivered, having said over the weekend he would do so on Monday at 3pm.

“I am required by statute to appoint a mayoral committee (Mayco) to assist me in the governance of the city, and I am ready to do so,” Neilson had said in a statement on Sunday.

Meanwhile, De Lille has fired back at claims she sent an SMS to influence the appointment of a city manager, accusing the complainant, Xanthea Limberg — who blew the whistle on the text message — of being influenced by factionalism in the Democratic Alliance.

Last week, the Mail & Guardian reported how De Lille allegedly sent the SMS to Limberg, a selection panelist, to ensure that Achmat Ebrahim would be reappointed as city manager. The SMS reads: “I want to keep Achmat so score him highest. Thanks.”

This is a developing story and will be updated when more details emerge.