Mashatile says the Western Cape will never be independent

CAPE TOWN - Deputy President Paul Mashatile says the Western Cape will never be independent, and the Democratic Alliance (DA) must be removed from power after the elections.

Mashatile was campaigning in the community of Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay on Sunday, where he addressed the community and attended a church service.

He said poor communities like Imizamo Yethu continue to be neglected by Western Cape authorities.

His visit follows the DA Western Cape manifesto launch where leader John Steenhuisen said the province must not be allowed to be taken from the DA.

READ: 'Elect a DA outright majority or face consequences of coalition corruption' - Steenhuisen 

But Mashatile said the African National Congress (ANC) has to wrestle power from the DA.

"Here in the Western Cape, you don’t have your own government. There’s a government of other people. We have to win the elections on the 29th of May even here in the Western Cape."

He added that the province will never be independent.

"I said yesterday [Saturday]... we have to ensure that the national government comes down, ministers must come. They don’t have to go via DA government. They must come straight, this is South Africa. The DA wants an independent state they will never get it."

Mashatile also went door to door in the communities of Philippi and Nyanga.

The weekend also saw former premier Ebrahim Rasool hitting the campaigning trail in Langa.