‘It’s Not a Racist Thing’: DA Leadership Contest Turns Nasty as Khakhau Forced Out Over R4,250

The leadership contest inside the DA has seen more internal tension surface this weekend after MP Karabo Khakhau withdrew from the race for deputy chair on the party’s federal council.

She says she was forced out over a dispute linked to party tithes.

The Disqualification

In a letter to supporters widely posted on social media, Khakhau said she was disqualified because the party denied her a letter of good financial standing.

Despite her protests, the provincial decision was supported by the DA’s national decision-making body, the federal executive.

The quantum of the dispute: R4,250 a tithe that was due in July last year.

Khakhau said in her letter that the missed payment was an administrative oversight, noting contributions are typically deducted from her salary.

She said she settled the outstanding amount within 24 hours and continued paying all subsequent contributions.

“I do not owe the DA a cent,” she wrote.

Consistency Questioned

Khakhau questioned the consistency of the decision, saying others in similar situations had been allowed to contest positions or remain in office.

A DA public representative backed her, saying leader John Steenhuisen faced no sanction over a past party credit card and expense controversy and a civil judgment linked to external debt.

‘It’s Not a Racist Thing’

Despite suggestions of racial undertones by Khakhau, a senior insider aligned to the DA’s black caucus said the matter was about compliance, not bias.

“They dislike her because she’s vocal, but she does go about things the wrong way. It’s not a racist thing. She didn’t make her payment. She did have a debt. It’s simple.”

The source added that good standing in the DA requires consistent payments “for at least a year, not just fixing it afterwards.”

The Context

The Citizen reported last week on divisions in the DA’s Ekurhuleni caucus ahead of the municipal elections, the mayoral candidate announcement, and the party’s federal congress next month.

Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is expected to clinch party leadership unopposed at the event.

Gauteng provincial chair Solly Msimang, once mooted as a leadership challenger, is instead competing for the role of federal council chair.

Ekurhuleni Mayoral Candidate

The DA named Khathutshelo Rasilingwane as its Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate last week, with some councillors hoping she can unify a divided caucus. Others remain unconvinced.

“She’s too young,” said a senior regional member, adding Mike Waters topped internal rankings, followed at distant second by former short-lived mayor Tanya Campbell, with Rasilingwane third.

The member said race considerations may have influenced the decision, but noted reputational concerns over the candidates.

Waters was absent from the regional congress on Saturday, with insiders saying he is reassessing his options. Contacted for comment, he said: “What people are saying is not true.”

The Fallout

In her letter, Khakhau argued that no party in SA would succeed without mobilising the majority of votersand that the base is black, young, and female.

Her case has found support in parts of the party. Shehana Kajee, who lists herself as serving on the party’s federal legal commission, weighed in on social media and called for the decision to be reconsidered.

“From Dion George, former federal finance chair, I hope Karabo Khakhau has appealed this injustice. There are many who have been accommodated in the past. We need to stop making cheese of some and chalk of others.”

The Bottom Line

Khakhau has not indicated if she will challenge the decision further. The DA had not responded to requests for comment.

A measure of internal tension is to be expected before a federal congress. But for a party that has seen prominent Black leaders depart in recent years, the optics of this dispute are uncomfortablewhether it’s about race or not.

{Source: Citizen}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com