The DA's federal executive chairperson James Selfe says the party's settlement with Helen Zille is not a slap on the wrists.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane announced that Zille will step down from all the party's decision making structures.
Zille will keep her position as Western Cape Premier but has been suspended from party activities.
BREAKING #Zille "I recognize my tweets were insensitive to South Africans who suffered under colonization. I genuinely apologize" CM
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) June 13, 2017
Zille apologised unreservedly and says she recognises that her tweets were offensive.
According to Selfe, it is not easy to remove and replace a provincial Premier in the party.
There are no legal mechanisms where one could remove her, expect through a motion of no confidence or termination of her membership.
— James Selfe, DA Federal Executive Chairperson
We do not instruct caucuses how to vote.
— James Selfe, DA Federal Executive Chairperson
There are no grounds, in terms of her record of governance , why we should remove her as the Premier of the Western Cape. It's the most successful government in South Africa.
— James Selfe, DA Federal Executive Chairperson
We don't want to get rid of her as the Premier, she runs a very successful government.
— James Selfe, DA Federal Executive Chairperson
Selfe conceded that if the DA had proceeded with disciplinary action, Zille's membership may have been terminated.
We have decided that in the interest of saving this country and getting ahead, we must accept her apology and get on to business.
— James Selfe, DA Federal Executive Chairperson
He said that the party cannot be distracted by internal fights over Zille's tweets and said the DA needs to get one with its business.
Take a listen to James Selfe reflect on the decision:
WATCH: Mmusi Maimane announces Helen Zille to step down from DA's decision-making structures
Below are some Twitter reactions to the interview and announcement:
Reax to Selfe on #Zille - Curated tweets by Radio702
