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Floor-crossing setback for DA
05/09/2007 15:13 - (SA)
Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape suffered a further blow on Wednesday with the defection of two of its senior MPLs to the African National Congress (ANC).
The defecting members are Kent Morkel, the DA's provincial chairperson, and Kobus Brynard, who is a member of the provincial executive.
The defections were announced at a news conference in Cape Town by ANC national chair Mosiuoa Lekota.
This brings the number of ANC representatives in the Western Cape provincial legislature to 26 and reduces the DA's representation to 11.
Introducing Morkel and Brynard to the media, Lekota welcomed "these two comrades, and I underline comrades", to the ANC.
ANC Western Cape provincial secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha said both were held in high regard in the ANC. 'True patriots'
"We welcome into our ranks these two true patriots, sons of South African soil who hold only one passport," he said.
Both he and Lekota said they expected more DA members to follow this lead during the current window period for floor-crossing, which ends on September 15.
Reacting to the news, DA federal executive chair James Selfe said the DA's cause was to provide the Western Cape and South Africa with an alternative to the ANC, grounded in the values of an open, opportunity society. Morkel facing disciplinary investigation
"If Kent Morkel and Kobus Brynard do not share our
vision, then both we and they are better off with them in the ANC.
"It is worth noting that Kent Morkel was facing disciplinary investigation for allegedly bringing the party into disrepute.
"We remain certain, however, that the majority of the people in the Western Cape do not want ANC government.
"The DA will stick with the people. Messrs Morkel and Brynard have deserted them," Selfe said.
- SAPA
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