Concerted effort to oust DA's Mnqasela

THERE is a strong lobby in the Democratic Alliance, supported by its leader Helen Zille, to ensure that suspended member Masizole Mnqasela gets expelled.

Mnqasela is to appear before the DA federal legal commission next month facing six charges of misconduct and Zille is listed as one of the witnesses against him.

Sowetan understands that Zille is livid with Mnqasela, who is also a member of Parliament, for publicly undermining her.

Mnqasela crossed swords with Zille during the race between Lindiwe Mazibuko and Atholl Trollip to lead the DA in parliament last year.

Mnqasela faces charges including claims that he tried to blackmail Zille into apointing him to the Western Cape government in excahnge for his support of Mazibuko's bid to oust Trollip. Mazibuko won the race.

Mnqasela also allegedly tried to influence an official of the Western Cape government to assist him in getting business for his company.

He is also said to have solicited the support of Patricia de Lille to mobilise black members of the ID to vote for Trollip.

In the heat of the campaign Mnqasela publicly backed Trollip and made statements which the party regarded as racist, divisive and undermining Zille's leadership.

Mnqasela rose in the DA on the back of Zille after joining the party in 2002.

Zille played a crucial role in getting him to be appointed as a proportional representative councillor in Khayelitsha, and in becoming a member of Parliament.