Zille damaged race relations in SA: Maimane

Zille has unreservedly apologised for her tweets praising certain aspects of colonialism, and has stepped down from all DA decision-making structures. 

She will, however, stay on as premier of the Western Cape.

Addressing a press conference in Rosebank, Maimane and Zille put on a united front following weeks of public spats over the tweets and the former leader's defence of it.

Maimane admits that Zille's utterances have damaged race relations in the country.

"All of us, especially leaders in our society, must remain mindful that colonialism was not a victimless crime. Many South Africans suffered directly under colonialism and apartheid and continued to be disadvantage by the legacy," says Maimane.

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"I was personally angered by the tweets that were put forward by Helen Zille and I know many others were as well."

Zille says she now understands there could be no defence for her tweets on colonialism.

"I recognise that my actions were insensitive to South Africans who suffered under colonial oppression," says Zille.