Mmusi Maimane

(Photo credit should read RODGER BOSCH/AFP/Getty Images)

DA would accept rebel ANC MPs like Khoza and Gordhan – Maimane

What a change this would be.

Mmusi Maimane

(Photo credit should read RODGER BOSCH/AFP/Getty Images)

Mmusi Maimane has sent a not so subtle message to the more than 30 ANC “rebel MPs” who voted to remove Jacob Zuma in the motion of no confidence.

Maimane has indicated that those MPs would be welcomed into his party as long as they shared the DA’s values, which include defending the Constitution.

Mmusi Maimane is happy to take “rebel” ANC MPs

Maimane was speaking at the Cape Town Press Club just before news broke that ANC MP Makhosi Khoza had been removed by the ANC as chairperson of parliament’s portfolio committee on public service and administration.

“The realignment of politics must be about the values that we share. So if the likes of [former finance minister] Pravin [Gordhan] and Makhosi stand on those issues‚ of course‚ let us build entities together that can take [SA forward]‚” Maimane said on Thursday.

“It’s a vision that we hold‚ it’s not just political pragmatism and finding a different home. It’s about saying‚ let us get together so that we can put the South African agenda forward and I am willing to work with people like that. They may not even come from the ANC‚ but various other [organisations].”

Khoza revealed on Thursday night that she was considering her future as an ANC MP. Maimane was then asked whether Gordhan would become a DA MP if he made the switch.

“Would we offer seats [in parliament] to Pravin? That’s not for me to say … it will obviously be an electoral process and we would have to rejig the [DA] list‚” Maimane said.

Khoza has faced death threats for her determination to fight against Zuma and corrupt sectors of the ANC. She openly admitted that she voted for Zuma to be removed and is currently facing separate disciplinary charges by the ANC.

Maimane said he was encouraged by the fact that over 30 ANC MPs decided to put the country ahead of Zuma.

“We have said often‚ and still say‚ that the future of South African politics is in a fundamental realignment of people in defence of the constitution and its values‚” Maimane said.

“We know that in one form or another we will one day share the government benches with those 40 brave rebels who voted with us last week.”

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