DA abandoned centrism, embraced tribal and right-wing partners, says Cachalia
Ghaleb Cachalia, who resigned as a DA MP, wrote to the party’s Federal Executive Committee chairperson, Helen Zille, detailing his reasons for being disillusioned with the party and its leadership.
Ghaleb Cachalia. Picture: Facebook
CAPE TOWN - Former Democratic Alliance (DA) member of Parliament (MP) Ghaleb Cachalia says the party has moved away from being centrist and instead embraced tribal and right-wing partners.
Cachalia penned a letter to the DA's Federal Executive Committee chairperson, Helen Zille, spelling his reasons for being disillusioned with the party.
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Cachalia resigned as MP and party member not too long after his pro-Palestine remarks about Israel’s war with Hamas.
On Thursday, he stated in detail his reasons for abandoning the party.
Cachalia stated in the letter to Zille that while the Gaza matter served as a “springboard” for the letter, the issues were "broader" and concerned the party and its leadership, as it approaches the upcoming elections.
He said the party’s “worrying move away from the centre of the political spectrum”, and its embracing of right-wing tribal and religious partners presented a serious cause for concern.
However, DA spokesperson Solly Malatsi said the party rejected Cachalia’s claims for resigning.
“The DA categorically rejects that claims Cachalia has manufactured in an attempt to justify his resignation, including his mischaracterisation of the party's position on the war in Gaza”.
Malatsi said the DA remains committed to a two-state solution, and to the creation of a sovereign and unoccupied Palestine in peaceful co-existence with Israel.