Cape Town - Tension is rising in the DA in the Western Cape as word spread that DA provincial leader Ivan Meyer threw his hat back into the leadership race, despite publicly endorsing mayor Patricia de Lille’s candidacy.
While the DA has been at pains to convince supporters there’s no in-fighting in the party, the rumour mill has been spinning as it emerged at the weekend that Meyer re-entered the provincial leadership race at the 11th hour ahead of last Friday’s deadline, only to withdraw for a second time the next day.
Just days earlier, Meyer had publicly endorsed De Lille’s nomination, saying he would “mobilise all the people behind De Lille”.
Meyer praised De Lille as “the right leader” for the province and that his “decision to stand back is in the interest of the party”.
“There are no in-fights. We had consensus. There was a level of political maturity on both sides.”
But four days later, Meyer re-submitted his nomination for provincial party leader.
Three senior DA members confirmed on Friday that Meyer had re-entered the race, with the backing of his supporters, and then changed his mind the next day.
“It’s mind-boggling what he did,” said one member. “It is no secret that he would have got most of the votes if he’d gone up against De Lille and Lennit Max, because DA members are not happy with the (former) ID members taking all the top jobs in the party.”
The DA on Monday released the names of members who had been nominated for the positions of provincial leader, deputy leader, provincial chairperson, three deputy chairs, four additional members and chairperson of finance.
Meyer’s name did not feature on the candidate list for provincial leaders, with only De Lille and DA MPL Lennit Max standing.
Insiders speculated that Meyer withdrew his name at the weekend because his career was at stake.
DA provincial chairman Anton Bredell confirmed that on Saturday Meyer had withdrawn his Friday nomination via SMS.
At grassroots level, Meyer’s supporters were fuming that he had withdrawn twice. One DA MP described Meyer’s change of heart as an indication that he was never really behind De Lille and was not as comfortable giving up his post.
“Everyone is talking about this. People wanted him to take a stand and fight but instead he had his mind changed for him,” another party insider said.
Asked for comment, Meyer conceded that he had been approached to stand for provincial leader or for a federal position.
“I chose not to stand for provincial leader because I have publicly endorsed De Lille as my candidate.”
Meyer added that De Lille was an excellent candidate and he supported her candidacy 100 percent.
“I am happy with the calibre of candidates. It reflects excellence, diversity, regional representation and experience. The DA’s internal democracy is strong and competitive. Next year will see further growth in the DA-run municipalities.”
While the race for the top jobs in the provincial DA is heating up, the battle for deputy provincial leader is also no longer clear-cut.
Incumbent Theuns Botha, who is recovering from a kidney operation, has made himself available, and will go up against Western Cape Human Settlements MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela and Max.
Botha said he had a solid reputation in the party and was confident he would win.
“It could possibly be my last stretch for the DA before I retire from public life during the 2019 elections. I will serve my people until my last day in the party and will see that their interests are safeguarded,” Botha added.
Senior DA members were happy as word of Botha’s nomination spread.
Several said they would rally behind Botha, who had repeatedly proven that he was “the glue that keeps the party together in the province”.
Others were disappointed that Botha was not running for provincial leader, saying he was the only senior DA member who would stand up and go to battle for ordinary party members.
Cape Argus