DA must be harsher on Kohler Barnard: analyst
Durban-based political analyst, Imraan Buccus feels the demotion of Dianne Kohler Barnard to an ordinary Member of Parliament is not enough action by the Democratic Alliance following her controversial social media post.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane announced at the weekend that Kohler Barnard has been moved from Shadow of Minister of Police to Deputy Public Works Shadow Minister.
This comes as the party investigates a Facebook post that was shared by her last month.
The post, written by journalist Paul Kirk calls for the return of PW Botha and claims that during Botha’s time better services were provided to the public.
Buccus feels that reflecting on a past where only a minority were represented has the potential to scare away those who were starting to embrace the DA.
"I think that the DA is at a time in its history where it's trying to capture the black vote. A significant number of its voting support comes from within black communities.
"It's talking about Nelson Mandela Bay and a number of other municipalities for the next local government elections and I think these types of comments really impact on the ability of the DA to potentially win some of these municipalities," he said.
Kohler Barnard will face an internal disciplinary hearing due to take place this Friday.
(File photo)