Max drops suspension appeal
2005-01-27 13:09
Cape Town - Suspended Independent Democrats (ID) Western Cape legislature member and former Western Cape leader Lennit Max
has withdrawn his application against his suspension and upcoming disciplinary hearing by Patricia de Lille's party.
The announcement was made by De Lille on the steps of the High Court in Cape Town - to a cry of joy from about 40 mostly women supporters - one carrying a placard saying: "Judas - Max".
De Lille said her party had been vindicated as agreement had been struck between the two parties. Max will now face a disciplinary hearing on February 8.
While Max was not at the Cape High Court on Thursday where his application was scheduled to be heard at 10:00, he has won the right to an independent lawyer to preside over his disciplinary case.
Previously this would have been conducted by the party leadership - who have made it clear that they want him - a former Western Cape police commissioner - out of the party.
Meanwhile, the ID said it had been vindicated by "the unconditional withdrawal of the court case by Lennit Max.
His attempts to stop the disciplinary hearing have failed and the hearing will take place on February 8".
De Lille said in a statement: "This political botch-up was nothing but an attempt to assassinate the character of the leadership of the Independent Democrats. This Freudian slip was orchestrated by the DA (Democratic Alliance) and they merely used Lennit Max as their pack donkey.
"We eagerly await the outcome of the disciplinary hearing," said De Lille.
Outside the court the demonstrators sang songs.
The agreement was only struck by about 11.40. They in the meantime sung: "We trust Patricia (de Lille), down with Max."
'Max DA spy'
One poster read: "27 January, This is the funeral of Lennit Max." It carried the Independent Democrats official logo while another read: "Max DA spy, Eat ur (your) cake."
Demonstrators included De Lille's sister, Sarah Paulse, a member of the Western Cape legislature and new provincial leader Neville Hendricks, who was elected last weekend. He is expected to take Max's seat in the legislature - which is now expected after the withdrawal of the application.
The mention of the DA follows rumours within the ID that Max was set to join the Democratic Alliance when the defection period occurs in September for elected politicians.
Max, one of three members of the ID in the legislature, had appointed a DA city councillor and lawyer as his legal representative.
Max was suspended late last year by the party amid allegations by De Lille that he was undermining the party and its leadership. De Lille has publicly stated that she wanted Max, who resigned as provincial leader in the Western Cape last year, to resign his seat.
His decision to withdraw the application was a surprise, as he had appeared determined to fight his case - arguing that he had never stated publicly that De Lille had taken money from dubious sources for the party.