A former politician who left the Democratic Alliance last year to join the Patriotic Alliance has returned to the DA, admitting he made a mistake and apologising for his departure.
In a lengthy statement, the politician said he should never have left the DA in the first place. He said he believed PA leader Gayton McKenzie and was misled by lies. He described his departure as disgraceful and said he caused great harm to the people who trusted him.
He apologised to DA voters, leadership and staff for leaving in a distasteful manner and for showing a lack of gratitude. He said he does not expect forgiveness immediately but is committed to rebuilding trust through his actions.
He said that during his time at the PA, he saw behind the curtain and witnessed a culture and focus that contravenes his values. He realised that the DA is the party his values align with, citing its track record and capability of uniting the country.
He listed several reasons for leaving the PA, including what he described as the PA selling out its voters to the ANC by being an uncritical supporter. He also claimed that in the PA, members were instructed to defend former NCC leader Fadiel Adams on the basis of his race rather than letting him answer for his own actions.
He criticised the PA’s rhetoric on immigration as violent and not rooted in the rule of law. He also said the PA has no governance structure, with decisions made by one man and no internal checks or balances.
He further raised concerns about cadre deployment within the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, saying he observed a worrying trend of PA aligned figures being appointed to board positions and events. He said he refuses to play a part in the capture of state institutions.
He said he returns to the DA not as a public representative but as an activist, committed to working hard every day to stop others from making the same mistake. He invited others to join him in the DA family.
