EMBATTLED Western Cape MEC for Transport and Public Works Bonginkosi Madikizela has resigned as provincial leader of the DA.
The DA’s Provincial Chairperson Jaco Londt said in a statement on Wednesday that Madikizela submitted his resignation on Wednesday.
This comes after Madikizela was involved in a scandal regarding his qualifications and that he did not have a BCom degree as has previously been stated. Premier Alan Winde also suspended him for 14-days from his role as MEC.
“We wish to thank Bonginkosi for his service as party leader since his election to the position of DA Leader in the Western Cape in 2018. Bonginkosi served as the leader for more than three years,” said Londt.
“We respect his decision and the honourable route he has taken by stepping down as leader. This shows the clear difference between the DA and the ANC. We look forward to working with him as a colleague in the DA going forward.
Albert Fritz, who is the deputy leader will remain the acting provincial leader until the party elects an interim leader at an upcoming Provincial Council meeting scheduled for May, 29.
Madikizela was first elected as the party’s interim leader in February 2017 when he replaced Patricia de Lille who had resigned from the party. Eight months later he was elected leader at a packed conference in Goodwood beating long-term rival and the then DA MPL Lennit Max.
In November he was re-elected as provincial leader having run against the Provincial Legislature’s Speaker Masizole Mnqasela.