Maimane: Zille and I hold fundamentally different attitudes
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane says it has become clear that he and former party leader Helen Zille hold fundamentally different attitudes about the mission the DA must accomplish in 2019.
Zille, who is the Western Cape premier, has until Tuesday to provide the party with reasons why she should not be suspended.
It follows her tweets in March in which she said not everything about colonialism was bad.
In a statement, the DA Federal Executive said it wrote Zille to signify its intention to temporarily suspend her until the conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings instituted against her.
"We have given Helen Zille the opportunity to indicate to us why she should not be suspended.
"The notice calling for representations on suspension has already been served and requires any representations to be made within 72 hours," the party said.
Maimane earlier told the media at OR Tambo International Airport that he also approached Zille and offered her an opportunity to aplogise for the remarks. He says she refused.
But Zille claims that is not the case.
"I have apologised publicly. What I have not agreed to do is plead guilty to charges of misconduct which I never committed," she said in a statement.
Maimane has also called for the disciplinary process to be expedited.
Zille will retain her position as premier, as it is a legislative matter.