By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Democratic Alliance (DA) Eastern Cape MPL Nqaba Bhanga faces suspension from the party after he accused federal chairperson Helen Zille of racism and spying on black people.
Bhanga posted on his Facebook page: “Helen Zille is the most racist person she [has] got of a file of all back people.
He claimed that Zille was investigating him and other black leaders.
He further claimed that the DA was “judging him” and investigating him for a relationship he has with an ex-Nelson Mandela Bay official. He also alleged that he was being investigated for his house in Walmer, Gqeberha, which cost R6 million.
Provincial leader, Andrew Whitfield, said in a statement on Sunday that the Bhanga was suspended from all party activities pending the outcome of their investigations “among other transgressions of the DA’s standards of conduct for its members.”
“The intention to suspend Nqaba Bhanga follows after he publicly labelled another DA member, Helen Zille, a “racist” and posted unfounded allegations against her on social media,” he said.
Whitfield said Bhanga would have 48 hours to respond to the suspension upon receipt of the notice.
He said the DA Provincial Executive Committee has referred the case to the party’s Federal Legal Commission (FLC) for an investigation.
“The DA in the Eastern Cape is deeply disappointed by Bhanga’s conduct which is contrary to his previous commitment to non-racialism and the Party.”
Bhanga is also a former mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.