Celani Sikhakhane
Veteran figures within the DA took to social media to pounce on the City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dr Mpho Phalatse for hosting a summit.
On Monday Phalatse posted a photo taken at a “strategic planning session” to “rebuild Joburg”, prompting a slew of critical responses from members of the DA old guard.
Former DA leader Tony Leon was among those to chime in, writing to Phalatse that her time would be better spent fixing “potholes and traffic lights and pavements” instead of hosting strategic planning sessions.
“Fix potholes and traffic lights and pavements[.] that far more than strategic planning sessions, will win the allegiance of your voters,” says Leon.
Phalatse fought back and told Leon to act as an adult.
“You are too old for this trolling Twitter behaviour of yours. If you want to contribute constructively to the rebuilding of the City of Johannesburg, please send an email to [email protected],” snapped back Phalatse.
This is not the first time Leon has come under fire for picking a fight with a black leader within his own party.
Leon was asked to explain his comments when he described ex-party leader Mmusi Maimane as an “experiment gone wrong”.
The bitter public dispute in the DA has led to an exodus of black leaders such as Lindiwe Mazibuko, Mbali Ntuli and Herman Mashaba.
It has also angered some white members who have since decided to quit the party, such as Athol Trollip.
