Maimane challenges Zille on DA's alleged cadre deployment policy

CAPE TOWN -  As the tit-for-tat spat between the Democratic Alliance (DA) and African National Congress (ANC) continues over cadre deployment, former DA leader Mmusi Maimane is challenging the party’s federal council chairperson Helen Zille to prove he had a hand in appointments made in structures where the party governs.

In a 2022 tweet, Zille alleged she put a stop to a cadre deployment policy introduced by Maimane.

But Maimaine has hit back - saying she must provide proof of this.

The DA’s challenge of the ANC’s cadre deployment policy has led to former members airing the blue party’s dirty laundry, and making claims and counter-allegations that the DA too is guilty of making appointments from those within its ranks.

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In a statement - Build One South Africa leader Maimane rubbishes Zille’s claims that such a policy existed under his tenure.

He said it was him who did away with Zille’s "fit for purpose" strategy that he’s likened to cadre deployment.

Maimane said it led to a patronage network of party affiliates being appointed in the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government.

He is now challenging Zille to release minutes of the party’s federal executive in which his alleged cadre deployment policy was done away with - and any other minutes of meetings where he’s alleged to have given orders regarding appointments.

Maimane said Zille should also produce minutes where her favourites within the party were appointed to government positions - including former members of Parliament Ryan Coetzee and Tim Harris.