Defector is ANC’s ‘sloppy seconds’

Cape Town- Former Ward 101 ANC Councilor, Siseko Mabidiza resigned from his ANC post & has chosen instead to align with his former opposition party, the Democratic Alliance. A press meeting was held on Sunday 151011, announcing his change over. Pictured [L:R] Zinkisane Moepe, Mayor Patricia de Lille & Siseko Mabidiza. Reporter Gadija, Photo: Ross Jansen

Cape Town- Former Ward 101 ANC Councilor, Siseko Mabidiza resigned from his ANC post & has chosen instead to align with his former opposition party, the Democratic Alliance. A press meeting was held on Sunday 151011, announcing his change over. Pictured [L:R] Zinkisane Moepe, Mayor Patricia de Lille & Siseko Mabidiza. Reporter Gadija, Photo: Ross Jansen

Published Oct 13, 2015

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Cape Town - The ANC is teasing the Democratic Alliance for taking its “sloppy seconds” after a suspended Kraaifontein councillor joined the opposition’s ranks.

But the DA said the ruling party only suspended councillor Siseko Mbandezi because they knew he was planning to quit the ANC.

Mbandezi was suspended on Saturday for failing to fulfil his duty as a ward councillor in Kraaifontein.

The next day, the DA announced they were accepting him into their fold.

The ANC said they dumped Mbandezi because he put his job as a banker first, while neglecting his constituency, causing the branch to close.

Western Cape DA leader, Patricia de Lille, said Mbandezi would be joining their party as a PR (proportional representation) councillor.

De Lille said: “We believe, particularly in the run-up to the election next year, more and more people will unite behind the DA.”

But ANC provincial spokesperson, Yonela Diko, said the DA’s failure to do its homework on defecting ANC councillors would cost them.

Diko said: “When we suspended Mbandezi, it was because he was a banker and worked full time there and did not have time for his people.

“We even had to close the branch in the area as a result.

“We have resolved to hold all our councillors to a higher regard – if you have a councillor who is not performing, it is the people who end up suffering.”

But DA provincial spokesperson Liza Albrecht said Mbandezi had an “excellent track record” of service delivery in his ward.

De Lille said the DA can prove Mbandezi “spent his budget accordingly”.

Albrecht adds the ANC knew Mbandezi was only a part-time councillor: “By Sunday morning Councillor Mbandezi had not even received any notice of his suspension.

“There was no disciplinary process, it was clearly a political tactic by the ANC.”

“Councillor Mbandezi will also be the DA’s candidate in the by-election that will take place in Ward 101 in either December or January.”

Daily Voice

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