The Democratic Alliance (DA) has been plunged into a fresh leadership crisis after the party disqualified its national spokesperson, Karabo Khakhau, from the upcoming federal council deputy chairperson election due to an alleged debt of over R4000 in unpaid party tithes.
According to Khakhau, the issue stemmed from a missed payment in July last year, which she claims to have rectified promptly. She explained that she had paid all her tithes from January to June and continued with August and September, only to be notified of the outstanding July tithe of R4250 on October 14. Within 24 hours, she paid R8500, covering both July and October, and has continued to pay monthly since then.
DA Leadership Crisis Deepens
The situation has sparked controversy, with several political analysts weighing in on the matter. Professor Ricky Munyaradzi Mukonza, a political analyst, said the situation reflects poorly on the DA, regardless of the technical details. “This creates the impression that the DA puts up barriers that prevent black members from contesting leadership positions. The party needs to clearly explain why Khakhau was excluded from next month’s conference,” he said.
Another analyst, Professor Ntwanano Mathebula from the University of Johannesburg, described the situation as unusual, particularly in light of Khakhau’s claim that other party leaders with outstanding payments were not treated in the same way. “Karabo says she doesn’t owe the DA anything. She is a national spokesperson and Member of Parliament. We are talking about a young African woman with strong credentials,” Mathebula said.
Internal Tensions and Allegations
Mathebula also pointed to allegations of internal tensions within the party, including claims of coordination between national and provincial structures to block Khakhau’s candidacy. He said her public stance suggests she believes her exclusion is linked to her views and political positioning within the party.
Some of the key issues surrounding Khakhau’s disqualification include:
- Alleged unfair treatment by the party’s federal executive
- Claims of selective application of the party’s constitution
- Internal tensions and allegations of coordination to block Khakhau’s candidacy
The DA’s leadership crisis comes at a critical time for the party, with its elective congress scheduled to take place next month. The party’s federal chairperson, Helen Zille, has been under pressure to address the internal conflicts and provide clarity on the situation.
