Durban - DA MP Sej Motau has denied he was a casualty of divisions in his party over the Employment Equity Amendment Bill.
He said he was “more than happy” with DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko’s decision to move him from his position as labour spokesman to the economic cluster.
Weekend newspapers reported Mazibuko had moved Motau from the labour portfolio following divisions over the bill. It is believed Motau was among DA MPs who supported the bill against the wishes of party leader Helen Zille.
But Motau on Sunday denied his reshuffle had anything to do with disagreements.
“I don’t know about any divisions within the party. I have been given a new portfolio and am more than happy.”
He said he had long wanted to be involved with economic development and had the relevant academic qualifications.
Motau said he could not comment on DA economic policies, especially those meant to improve the conditions of blacks to address the legacy of apart-heid.
“Please ask Helen Zille about those things,” he said.
In the party’s online newsletter, Zille criticised the party’s parliamentary caucus for voting in favour of the bill.
She wrote: “Although ‘race’ is still often synonymous with ‘disadvantage’ this is changing rapidly. Race classification is thus becoming increasingly problematic as a reliable determinant of which South Africans are disadvantaged.”
After Zille’s latest letter, Mazibuko wrote to Motau informing him that he had been removed from labour.
Former DA leader Tony Leon was among the first to express his displeasure at the DA support for the bill.
Attempts to get Mazibuko and Zille to comment were unsuccessful as their cellphones rang unanswered.
The Mercury