Patricia de Lille South African news today

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 10, 2018: Executive Mayor Patricia de Lillie during an interview in her office at the Civic Centre on January 10, 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa. De Lille claims she will fight to the death in the highest court to keep her name clean. (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Adrian de Kock)

Breaking: Patricia De Lille wins in court, temporarily reinstated as mayor

A massive egg to the face of the DA.

Patricia de Lille South African news today

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 10, 2018: Executive Mayor Patricia de Lillie during an interview in her office at the Civic Centre on January 10, 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa. De Lille claims she will fight to the death in the highest court to keep her name clean. (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Adrian de Kock)

Former City of Cape Town Executive Mayor Patricia De Lille has just been handed a massive short-term victory by the Western Cape High Court. In an urgent judgment on Tuesday afternoon, the court ordered that she be temporarily reinstated as mayor.

Judge Gamble explained that De Lille based her cases on four reasons:

“1.Misinterpretation of Patricia De Lille’s comments on the radio interview 2. The DA applied a double standard in invoking cessation clause  3. Challenges constitutionality of recall clause used by the DA  4.Technical issues in due process and procedure.”

The judgment comes just over a week after the DA terminated De Lille’s party membership over comments she made during a radio interview about resigning after clearing her name. The DA argued that De Lille’s comments were enough to show that was no longer a DA member.

De Lille thanked the public for her support and promised that she will continue to “give her all” to the people of Cape Town.

While reading his judgment, Judge Gamble also expressed his concern as to what effect her removal will have on the residents of Cape Town.

“We’re [the court’ genuinely concerned about the harm which her lost of office has for the people of Cape Town. In our view this factor warrants serious consideration.”

The matter will be heard in full before the court on Friday 25 May.

The DA has criticised the ruling, saying it is “not in the best interests” of the people of Cape Town.

“It is unfortunate that Ms De Lille continues to put her individual interests above those of the citizens of Cape Town by using legal technicalities to cling on to power.

“De Lille will now act in only a ceremonial role, with substantive governance decisions to be taken by the DA caucus in the interests of the people of Cape Town. All while enjoying the benefits of a Mayoral Salary at rate-payer expense,” said the DA’s Deputy Chairperson of Federal Council, Natasha Mazzone.

Just one day prior to the ruling, the DA labelled comments made by De Lille as “sexist and racist”.