ANC says failed Meyer was pushed

The ANC Western Cape says the sudden withdrawal by DA Western Cape leader (Dr) Ivan Meyer for re-election is orchestrated at the top level and he was forced to pull out of the race to make way for DA national leader Helen Zille's favourite: Former PAC leader Patricia de Lille (see Cape Argus report).

The ANC also notes that a week ago Meyer still indicated that he will lead his party to the Union Buildings! After two heavy blows of losses in by-elections and due to poor performance in his constituency area, it is said he was asked to back off in favour of De Lille.

ANC Western Cape says: "The ANC is aware of perceptions that Meyer is a failed leader. He could not work in the DA team and he was unsuccessful to be the so­-called coloured face of the whites backed DA. During the past weekend's elective gatherings his team failed to muster any significant support to advance his candidature for another term."

With Cape Town mayor De Lille now set to be in the run with the support of Zille is reminiscent of the manoeuvring when Zille outgunned Athol Trollip as DA parliamentary leader by supporting Lindiwe Mazibuko. That did not last long as she fell out of favour fast.

It is clear this time Zille wants to block the rise of another former ID leader Lennit Max that would now have to contend with De Lille.

The team behind Max during the regional elections this past weekend mustered reasonable support and that caused a stir in the DA's former liberal PFP-clan that controls the heart of the party.

The ANC says it will be interesting to see if De Lille - after selling out the PAC and then selling the ID to the DA in exchange for a position - will get enough support to pull through her aspirations for even higher positions in the DA.

Statement issued by Cobus Grobler, ANC Western Cape, February 9 2015

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