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Controversial DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard needs to step down from all elected leadership positions but remains constituency head of South Durban.
This was confirmed by Federal Legal Commission (FLC) chairperson Glynnis Breytenbach yesterday.
She said that Kohler Barnard’s role as constituency leader was not an elected position, but formed part of her duties as an MP.
Breytenbach was responding to queries after KwaZulu-Natal DA leader Zwakele Mncwango told Media24 that the implications for her provincial roles were “confusing” and he had been seeking clarity from the FLC. “It was not communicated clearly to us, so it makes it difficult to comment,” he said.
It has also been confirmed that Kohler Barnard needs to resign from her position as deputy chairperson of KwaZulu-Natal, and also from the Provincial Executive Committee and Provincial Management Committee.
This is in line with sanctions imposed by the FLC appeal panel on Tuesday that include resigning from all elected positions except her position in the National Assembly.
Mncwango said it would be premature to comment on the ruling until the FLC released the reasons it came to its decision.
“At the moment, I respect the fact that the FLC has taken a decision, but I cannot comment until I see their reasons for overturning the Fedex (Federal Exexutive) decision,” he said.
Kohler Barnard’s appeal against her expulsion – for sharing a Facebook post that hankered after the days of apartheid leader PW Botha – was upheld during an appeal hearing on Tuesday.
The judgment thus reversed a decision of the Fedex, which had rejected the more lenient recommendations of a disciplinary panel and instead imposed the maximum penalty.
Kohler Barnard had pleaded guilty to bringing the party into disrepute and breaching its social media policy.
Mncwango challenged reports that he was behind a campaign to drive Kohler Barnard out of the party and said that he was not even present at the Fedex meeting which led to the decision to expel her.
“There were people who were trying to paint the wrong picture from the beginning,” he said.
Gauteng DA leader John Moodey, who was revealed to be a key advocate for Kohler Barnard’s expulsion in Fedex, said yesterday that the process had run its course.
“I am fairly satisfied and will abide by the decision. I am a supporter of the rule of law. I may not be happy but I accept the decision.”
Breytenbach said that the appeal panel’s judgment and reasons would be released in writing in January.
