Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance has withdrawn its motion of no confidence against embattled City of Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille following lengthy discussions between her and the party.
According to sources close to De Lille, the DA top leadership and De Lille have signed an agreement, which is believed to state that no further motions of no confidence will be instituted against De Lille, and the party would allow her to clear her name through the disciplinary hearing.
When approached for comment, DA’s James Selfe refused to confirm the withdrawal and said the party would communicate its decision soon.
Despite the previous defeat, the DA Cape Town caucus on Monday decided to proceed with another attempt to remove De Lille.
In February, opposition parties voted against the DA’s first motion of confidence to oust De Lille.
A total of 110 councillors voted NO, with 109 voting YES and three choosing to abstain. There are 231 members of the council - 154 of them belong to the DA and 77 belong to the opposition.
In May, the Western Cape High Court ruled in favour of De Lille in her application to have the DA’s decision to strip her of her membership reviewed and set aside.
DA deputy caucus leader JP Smith told Independent Media through a text message that “Only Fedex speaking on matter. Motion not going to be tabled today in lieu of Patricia de Lille signing agreement last night."
The ANC has indicated that it would not support the motion against De Lille.
The City is also expected to hear a motion of no confidence against speaker Dirk Smith. Smit is accused by the ANC of being biased, and misleading when presiding over council meetings. He has denied deliberately misleading council as alleged by the ANC.