Kohler Barnard back in DA after suspension lifted

22 December 2015

Johannesburg – Dianne Kohler Barnard’s expulsion from the Democratic Alliance has been lifted.

This follows an appeal process on Tuesday, where the party decided to keep Kohler Barnard in her position until the end of the fifth Parliament.

This is on condition that she is not found guilty of any transgressions during that period.

She will also have to attend a presentation on the safe use of social media, and pay a fine.

She must also resign from all elected positions in the party, except that of MP, and cannot stand for reelection to the positions during the period under review.

Kohler Barnard’s DA membership was terminated at the end of October after she shared a Facebook post from journalist Paul Kirk, in which he praised former apartheid president PW Botha.

Last month, she lodged a notice of intention to appeal the expulsion.

Defending her actions, Kohler Barnard said she did not read the post fully before sharing it.

The post said: "Please come back PW Botha - you were far more honest than any of these [African National Congress] rogues, and you provided a far better service to the public."

She pleaded guilty to misconduct, bringing the party into disrepute and not abiding by the party’s social media policy.

Her appeal was set down for two days in January 2016, but was brought forward to December 22 due to the availability of members.

This article first appeared via News24 – see here.