DA accuses Zwakele Mncwango of resigning only after ‘enjoying costly trips’

Earlier this week, Democratic Alliance (DA) member, Zwakele Mncwango, resigned from the provincial legislature (MPL).

At the time, Mncwango said on social media: “I have resigned from KZN Legislature and didn’t say anything about resigning from the DA”.

Zwakele Mncwango resigns from DA

Now, however, the DA in KwaZulu-Natal said it received Mncwango’s resignation from the party. He will reportedly be moving to ActionSA before the end of October.

MPL DA leader in the province, Francois Rodgers, said it appears as though Mncwango “has been planning his departure to ActionSA for the last month”.

“Therefore, we feel he needs to come clean with the public and his new party as to why he saw it fit to enjoy the perks of his office in the Legislature”, Rodgers said.

I have resigned from KZN Legislature and didn't say anything about resigning from the @Our_DA

— Zwakele Mncwango (@Zwakelem) October 5, 2022

Costly perks at DA

According to DA, these perks “included an overseas trip in the last month to Norway and Uganda”.

Rodgers said the international trips “cost taxpayers roughly R150,000”.

“Surely if he had such misgivings about the DA, he should have resigned from the party before he enjoyed this costly trip”.

KZN Portfolio Committee on Premier is currently undertaking a Study Visit to Norway to learn more about the Norwegian governance system. Today they had the opportunity to meet the Mayor of Oslo. #SAinNorway @kzngov @DIRCO_ZA @GCIS_KZN pic.twitter.com/vlqXhrgbpw

— South African Embassy in Norway (@saembassynorway) September 21, 2022

Rodgers added that the allegations made against the party by Mncwango “without ever raising them in a formal structure can not go left unchallenged”.

In addition, his departure is described as a “fig leaf for his real reason to leave the DA – and that is to join ActionSA”.

‘Soul-searching and reflection’

On Wednesday, Mncwango tendered his resignation as KZN MPL “with a heavy heart”, adding that it was not an easy decision to make.

I had a lot of disagreement with @Our_DA KZN chairperson @DeanMacpherson but always worked well together and respected each other. Wishing him and @francoisrodgers well. Both have worked hard in uniting the party at provincial level.

— Zwakele Mncwango (@Zwakelem) October 5, 2022

“I entered politics for the sole purpose of serving the people of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa at large for their betterment and progress and to make this country the haven that we all desired it to be.

“I did not come to this decision easily. In reaching this decision, I engaged in much soul-searching and reflection over a period of time and [evaluated] how much more of a contribution I could make going forward”.

CONTINUE READING: Former DA KZN leader Zwakele Mncwango quits as MPL, party chief whip

Additional reporting by Thapelo Lekabe.