The DA has placed mayor Patricia de Lille and mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith on special leave from party activities in the Cape Town Metro until an investigation has been concluded.
This means that neither, who have been engaging in a war of words, will be able to attend DA caucus meetings, interact with caucus members or others who may testify before the committee or attend party meetings.
This leave does not affect their candidacy for provincial elected positions, nor does it affect their work in provincial government.
"In recent days various allegations and counter-allegations have been made in the Cape Town press involving Cape Town Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille and Councillor JP Smith," DA national spokesperson Phumzile van Damme said in a statement.
"DA Leader Mmusi Maimane called both Mayor de Lille and Cllr Smith to account for their actions at a meeting held last night.
Just in: Phumzile van Damme on why CT Mayor Patricia de Lille , JP Smith placed on leave pending an investigation. @eNCA #DeLille pic.twitter.com/hRPsREdQa9
— Annika Larsen (@AnnikaLarsen1) October 3, 2017
"Following that meeting, Mr Maimane has placed Mayor de Lille and Cllr Smith on special leave from DA activities in the Cape Town Metro until such time as a DA Federal Executive investigation can be concluded.
"Some time ago, the Leader convened a special sub-committee of the DA’s Federal Executive in order to investigate the political management and governance situation in the City of Cape Town, and to report back to the full FedEx as to what further action is required.
"This sub-committee will be chaired by John Steenhuisen MP, and is scheduled to begin its hearings today, 3rd October, 2017.
ALSO READ:
"Placing the Mayor and the Councillor on special leave during the investigation means that neither will be able to attend DA caucus meetings, interact with caucus members or others who may testify before the committee or attend party meetings.
"This leave does not affect their candidacy for provincial elected positions, nor does it affect their work in government. They should also not address the media on this issue until the conclusion of the investigation.
"The statements being made in the media on allegations from both the Mayor and Alderman Smith are now a subject of investigation by both the panel mentioned above and the City itself.
"These statements have been inaccurate and are prejudicial to the investigation."
DA national spokesperson Phumzile van Damme
De Lille has consulted her lawyers over reported remarks made by Smith, and members of the City’s internal investigative unit, which she described as “malicious and defamatory”.
This follows a report last week in which Smith questioned the shutdown of the city’s special investigating unit, which was probing the murder of former DA councillor Xolile Gwangxu, who was shot after a meeting in Philippi in June.
The unit had also reportedly probed alleged “irregular upgrades” at De Lille’s private residence.
However, City Speaker Dirk Smit on Sunday shot down such assertions, saying that security upgrades at the house were above board, and that she had paid for non-security renovations.
Smith had written to the DA’s federal council, questioning why the unit had been shut down and a probe was to start on Monday.
On Monday, De Lille launched a scathing attack on Smith, saying: “We all know that crime fighting is the responsibility of the SAPS under national government.
"JP Smith wants to play cowboys and crooks by releasing all kinds of statements that the metro police is responsible for fighting crime.”
Smith said the special investigations unit was not created by him, but was as a result of the City’s integrated development and its annual police plan.
“When the ODTP (Organisational Development and Transformation Plan) did its review, it gave the SIU the nod, it wasn’t fiddled with and additional staff were signed off three months ago,” said Smith.
He said suggestions that the unit acted outside of its mandate were inaccurate.