Cape Town – Former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane has moved swiftly in quashing his successor John Steenhuisen’s accusations that his exit in 2019 hurt the party’s performance at the just-ended local government elections.
Steenhuisen apportioned some of the blame for the DA’s decline on his predecessor.
“Keep my name out of it @jsteenhuisen. You made your bed, these results are on you,” Maimane, who is now the One South Africa (OSA) Movement leader, said in a tweet.
Keep my name out of it @jsteenhuisen. You made your bed, these results are on you.
Mkhuzeni, mkhuzeni. Mbambeni, mbambeni. https://t.co/iSTvpnXQHz
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) November 2, 2021
According to Mail and Guardian, numbers from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) suggested that the two biggest parties — the DA and the governing ANC — will see a significant drop in voter support. The ANC’s share was expected to fall from 54.5% in 2016 to 46.7%, and the DA was expected to decline from 27% five years ago to 22.6% this year.
ALSO READ: ‘Look beyond ANC,’ Maimane tells Cyril Ramaphosa as Cabinet reshuffle looms
Maimane, who left the DA after he was blamed for the poor showing, said his track record spoke for itself.
“In 2016 I delivered growth. That’s the bottom line. Numbers don’t lie, check the scoreboard,” Maimane told Steenhuisen.
In 2016 I delivered growth. That’s the bottom line. Numbers don’t lie, check the scoreboard.
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) November 2, 2021
Maimane said he would now turn his attention to pushing for electoral reforms, EWN reported.
He said that he would be writing to National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, giving her seven days to deal with the law to allow for independent candidates to run in national and provincial elections.
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Pictures: Twitter/@MaimaneMmusi
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Compiled by Reginald Nhlapo
