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By Siyabonga Mkhwanazi 
11h ago
Cape Town: DA leader John Steenhuisen has brandished his ax in his shadow cabinet, ousting Phumzile van Damme as shadow communications minister. But the move could spell trouble for the opposition party.
In a statement released on Saturday, the district attorney announced that Van Damme was being replaced by Zakhele Mbhele as the party’s spokesperson on communications and digital technologies in Parliament.
Van Damme has been reduced to an additional deputy spokesperson on communications in Parliament.
The announcement came after Van Damme took to Twitter on Friday to say that he had been put on a three-month sabbatical against his wishes and that he intended to oppose the measure.
“I have been informed by the federal leader of the district attorney @jsteenhuisen that he is granting me a sabbatical. I did not request it. It just informed me. I could walk away but I choose to stay and challenge him ABOVE THE BEGINNING, “Van Damme tweeted.
I have been informed by the federal leader of the DA @jsteenhuisen granting me a sabbatical year. I did not request it. It just informed me. I could walk away, but I choose to stay and challenge him ABOVE THE BEGINNING.
– Phumzile Van Damme (@zilevandamme) December 4, 2020
Van Damme, who has been on sick leave for three months, insisted that she was able to fulfill her duties and that her illness was being used to marginalize her. His followers on social media were quick to condemn the prosecutor’s leader’s move.
On Saturday the party also announced that Steenhuisen has removed Nomsa Marchesi as spokesperson for basic education and has been replaced by Bax Nodada.
Political Bureau
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