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Phumzile van Damme has been replaced by Zakhele Mbhele as DA spokesperson on communications.
- Zakhele Mbhele has been appointed as the DA’s new communications spokesperson.
- He replaces Phumzile van Damme, who was put on a sabbatical by DA leader John Steenhuisen.
- Van Damme had initially turned down the gap year and threatened to challenge it, but He later tweeted that he intended to comply with Steenhuisen’s instructions.
Zakhele Mbhele has been appointed DA communications spokesperson, replacing Phumzile van Damme, who has been put on a three-month sabbatical by DA leader John Steenhuisen.
Van Damme, who initially announced that he would challenge Steenhuisen’s decision, appears to have changed his mind.
She tweeted: “I intend to comply with this instruction. I am on sabbatical until March 30, 2021 per the instructions. The party and I will speak through my attorneys in 2021.”
READ |Phumzile van Damme of DA refuses to take a ‘forced’ sabbatical by Steenhuisen
The chief prosecutor, Natasha Mazzone, confirmed to News24 that Mbhele, a former party spokesperson on small businesses, had replaced Van Damme.
“Yes, Zak was appointed shadow communications minister; he was small business shadow minister,” he told News24.
On Friday, Van Damme tweeted: “The federal leader of the district attorney informed me that he is granting me a sabbatical. I did not request it. He simply informed me. I could walk away, but I choose to stay, and challenge him on principle.”
Steenhuisen told Van Damme that he gave him the sabbatical so he could focus on his health.
Van Damme told News24 that he suffers from an incurable neurological disorder, which had debilitating symptoms.
Steenhuisen told News24: “This is a decision made in consultation with the caucus leadership and with Ms. Van Damme’s best interests in mind. I am sorry you are trying to present it differently.”
Van Damme had supported Mbali Ntuli in the race for DA’s leadership, which was finally won by Steenhuisen last month.
