‘DA changes planned before FB outrage’

Dianne Kohler Barnard

Dianne Kohler Barnard

Published Oct 4, 2015

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Carlo Petersen

THE DA’s shadow cabinet reshuffle, which left Dianne Kohler Barnard axed from her post as shadow minister of police, was “going to happen anyway” but had been hastened by her sharing the “indefensible” Facebook post, the party said yesterday.

The post: “Please come back PW Botha, you were far more honest than many of these ANC rogues” (sic), which was shared by Kohler Barnard last week, sparked huge controversy.

ANC national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said: “The DA mask of racism is gradually slipping.”

DA leader Mmusi Maimane has replaced Kohler Barnard with Zakhele Mbhele, who was elected to Parliament last year.

Asked yesterday if Kohler Barnard had in fact been demoted, and if the move was a consequence of her actions, DA national spokesperson Phumzile van Damme said: “Changes in the DA shadow cabinet were due in order to align it to the party’s strategic priorities as well as due to a number of vacancies that had arisen. Changes were going to happen anyway.

“DA leader Mmusi Maimane has the prerogative to make changes to the Shadow Cabinet.”

Botha was prime minister of apartheid South Africa from 1978 to 1984, and first executive President from 1984 to 1989. Some of his famous statements include:

l “I am one of those who believe that there is no permanent home for even a section of the Bantu in the white area of South Africa and the destiny of South Africa depends on this essential point.”

l “We do not force people to move to new homes, we coerce them.”

l “Nelson Mandela can rot in prison until he dies or I die, whichever takes longer.”

Further, on Kohler Barnard’s post, Kodwa said:

“Incidentally, this is a repeat of the remarks made by Allister Sparks, who described the founding father of apartheid in the same vein as Helen Zille.”

Van Damme responded yesterday, labelling the ANC as hypocritical and duplicitous. “The ANC has in its ranks convicted criminals, those implicated in corruption scandals and many other rogue elements such as the members of Ses’Khona. Unlike the ANC, the DA takes action when its members go astray.

She cited an internal disciplinary inquiry planned for Friday, which could be followed by a Parliament Ethics Committee inquiry.

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