With the 2019 elections growing ever nearer, the ANC continues to be undermined by corruption, violence (and more violence) and ineptitude.

Then there’s the EFF, the so-called ‘champions of anti-corruption’, who are putting out Floyd Shivambu flames at every turn.

That should pave the way for the DA to make ground, right? Maybe, except things aren’t exactly peachy with the Western Cape’s ruling party, either.

Today, the in-party fighting and factional warfare were once again laid bare, this time by Patricia de Lille, during her last meeting of the Cape Town city council as mayor.

Times LIVE reports:

[She said] she would lay criminal charges against those smearing her name.

She said it was “grossly malicious” and a breach of council rules that documents‚ including a 2‚000-page report from a forensic investigation which recommends criminal action against her‚ had been leaked.

Addressing a meeting of the council where the Bowman Gilfillan report was due to be tabled behind closed doors‚ De Lille said the leaks constituted a clear attempt to “destroy my good name” when her support from communities spoke for itself.

Regarding the law firm’s report‚ she said: “I said from day one I would support it and give my full co-operation.”

She added that despite “factual errors” she had pointed out in response to the first Bowmans report in January‚ she continued to co-operate.

“I have been fighting corruption my entire life. I am synonymous with fighting corruption. This is a vehemently racist bully attack on me‚” she said.

She also accused individuals of sharing fake news, and threatened further legal action against those who raised doubts about the legality of security upgrades to her house.

De Lille did not comment on whether she was withdrawing her resignation as mayor, which will take effect on October 31, telling one councillor who raised the question “you are not my shop steward and it is none of your business”.

In response to de Lille’s treatment, five DA councillors resigned in support, backing up her claims of racism. Below from City Press:

Former DA chief whip Shaun August has slammed the Democratic Alliance for reducing black members to “foot soldiers” while white members make all of the board room decisions.

August [below left] took the council by surprise this morning when he announced his resignation as chief whip, councillor and as a member of the party. Four other councillors have also since resigned in support of mayor Patricia de Lille. They are Siya Mamkeli, Suzette Little, Greg Bernado and Thulani Stemela.

Mamkeli told reporters this morning that party leader Mmusi Maimane was nothing but a “puppet” while Bernado claimed that the party is only “advancing the interests of whites”.

Bernado went as far as to tell coloured and black voters to close the door on the DA when they hit the campaign trail ahead of next year’s general elections. Stemela claimed that jobs in the party are only reserved for white people.

Imagine your two main political rivals being the ANC and the EFF, who can hardly go a day without scandal, and still finding a way to shoot yourself in the foot?

As the DA watched things go to the dogs, the ANC councillors present took to singing and dancing:

ANC councillors start chanting as Mayco members Suzette Little along with two more mayco members resign from Council @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/4P59G4IyuZ

— Kelvin Suddason (@KelvinSuddason) October 25, 2018

This is basically the equivalent of celebrating your neighbour’s house burning down, whilst yours lies torched to the ground.

Anyway, that’s the latest on Patricia, the DA, and the sad state of affairs that is our political system.

Phuza Thursday indeed.

[sources:timeslive&citypress]