DA's year in review: Out with Mashaba and Maimane, in with Steenshuisen
The Democratic Alliance (DA) was founded in 2000 and has since been recognised as the official opposing party against the ANC. Over the years, the political party has undergone a number of changes. Briefly.co.za takes a look at the controversial moments the DA had in 2020.
PAY ATTENTION: Join Briefly News' Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!
Mmusi Maimane was the leader of the DA and he decided to move on in October 2019. A month later, Herman Mashaba resigned as Mayor of Johannesburg because of differences he had with the DA leadership.
John Steenhuisen became the interim leader of the DA in 2019 and has occupied the position as party leader since. Briefly.co.za takes a look at three moments the DA had in 2020.
1. The DA was riled up by the tobacco ban in lockdown
During the first stages of the nationwide lockdown in South Africa due to the Covid-19 pandemic, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that tobacco and alcohol would be banned. The DA felt that the ban was unnecessary and pushed to find out the president's reasoning for the ban.
Source: Twitter
"In an incredible turn of events, President Cyril Ramaphosa has admitted that he has no empirical evidence to support the continued ban of cigarettes and other tobacco products under the current level 3 lockdown regulations," said the DA on social media.
2. A DA member was accused of drinking during a virtual meeting
The Covid-19 pandemic forced many to start making their meetings virtual which is what the DA did. During a meeting, a member named Tsepo Mhlongo appeared to have been shopping for booze. This was after alcohol was unbanned during the lockdown.
During a virtual meeting with other peace and security ministers, in what seemed to be a technical glitch, a picture of a man wearing blue jeans and black shoes with a trolley filled with booze in the background flashed across the screens of the parliamentary members' screens.
3. The DA laid charges against the EFF's Mbuyiseni Ndlozi
The charges were for inciting violence following Ndlozi singing 'Call the fire brigade, burn these Boers' at a recent protest. DA Chief Whip in Parliament Natasha Mazzone commented:
“I have just furnished laying charges of inciting violence against Dr Ndlozi, Member of Parliament, following his singing of the song talking about calling the fire brigade and setting the boer on fire. We are seeing massive fires erupting in the Free State. It may be concerning that these may be related. We are now going to approach the Human Rights Commission to ensure that singing setting the Boer on fire is also declared illegal."
Briefly.co.za previously reported that Steenhuisen slammed Ramaphosa's lockdown solution instead of vaccines. Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen has come out in fierce criticism of President Cyril Ramaphosa's address.
The opposition leader insists that Ramaphosa failed to mention a crucial point in the fight against Covid-19.
Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news!
Source: Briefly News
