Helen Zille Faces Disciplinary Investigation for Colonialism Tweets
DA Leader Mmusi Maimane has referred Western Cape Premier and former DA leader Helen Zille to the Federal Legal Commission for investigation, following a series of tweets this morning, which may have violated the DA’s social media policy for public representatives, according to a statement from the Democratic Alliance (DA). Zille has already issued an […]
DA Leader Mmusi Maimane has referred Western Cape Premier and former DA leader Helen Zille to the Federal Legal Commission for investigation, following a series of tweets this morning, which may have violated the DA’s social media policy for public representatives, according to a statement from the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Zille has already issued an unreserved apology for her tweet.
DA National Spokesperson Phumzile Van Damme MP said: “Colonialism, like Apartheid, was wrong. It oppressed millions of people and violated human rights in a cruel and inhumane way.
“Colonialism, like Apartheid, is in every single way against our cherished values of Freedom, Fairness and Opportunity for all.
“The DA is party that is committed to redressing the wrongs of the past. We want to build a united South Africa – one nation, with one future.
She said the DA wants to build “a Fair Society where every single South African – no matter the circumstances of their birth – can live a life they truly value.”
Earlier Thursday, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) called for Zille to be removed from her position of Premiership “in the name of the democratic order she has insulted and undermined”.
The EFF said Zille holds serious responsibility and power, presiding over many black people’s lives and that the DA must demonstrate its commitment to anti-racism by taking hard action and removing Zille from office.
The EFF called Zille a “cold-hearted racist who believes colonialism, a crime against humanity of black people, is not a bad thing.
The EFF said her apology was meaningless and that her comments represented her true views “and the company she keeps”.
Replying to verbal attacks on Twitter, Zille said her words had been distorted. “All the stuff twisted for the convenience of the propagandists,” she tweeted in one, and in another tweet to the ANC she said: “I don’t miss colonialism, and that is not what I said or implied.”
For those claiming legacy of colonialism was ONLY negative, think of our independent judiciary, transport infrastructure, piped water etc.
— Helen Zille (@helenzille) March 16, 2017
I apologise unreservedly for a tweet that may have come across as a defence of colonialism. It was not.
— Helen Zille (@helenzille) March 16, 2017
Let's make this clear: Colonialism, like Apartheid, was a system of oppression and subjugation. It can never be justified.
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) March 16, 2017
Update Friday 17 March 2017: Zille tweeted a link to an article about “yesterday’s firestorm”.