Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Federal Legal Commission, Glynnis Breytenbach says no decision has been made about action being taken against one of its MPs, Phumzile van Damme. According to weekend newspapers, the party is considering taking disciplinary action against Van Damme for punching a man at the V and A Waterfront during an alleged racist exchange in June.
On social media, Van Damme had said the party has not informed her of any impending steps against her.
I must now be disciplined as per correspondence by @GhalebCachalia which is quoted verbatim in the Rapport. That sure is mighty interesting.
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) August 25, 2019
As an aside @waldimar as usual gets the facts completely wrong. I have NOT been charged. His paper has become nothing but a factional mouthpiece in attacks against me.
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) August 25, 2019
To add: when the time is right, at the risk of sounding like Jacob Zuma, I will write about the year that has been 2019 in the DA. An annus horribilis. I know I am not alone in this. I have kept quiet in the hopes things will change for too long. Oh, and I am going nowhere.
— Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) August 25, 2019
Breytenbach says the matter is still being investigated.
“The Federal Legal Commission writes a report, sends it to FedEx with a recommendation and they will instruct us what to do. So whether Ms Van Damme will be charged or not, I have no idea and it is way premature to be talking about charges; we are talking about an investigation.”