Phumzile Van Damme, a former DA MP, claims that DA leader John Steenhuisen is using racial polarization and fear to mobilize white voters. Photo by Gallo Images / Rapport / Deon Raath
Phumzile van Damme: Ex-MP ‘exposes’ DA, reveals why she REALLY left
Former DA MP Phumzile van Damme has singled out leader John Steenhuisen and chief whip Natasha Mazzone – and she has the receipts
Phumzile Van Damme, a former DA MP, claims that DA leader John Steenhuisen is using racial polarization and fear to mobilize white voters. Photo by Gallo Images / Rapport / Deon Raath
Former Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament (MP) Phumzile van Damme has spilled the beans on her exit from the party, revealing that she resigned after the official opposition forbid her from calling out Facebook for being a no show at a Parliamentary sitting.
Van Damme went on Twitter rant on Wednesday, 25 August 2021, which, according to her, was spurred by DA leader John Steenhuisen “lying to the media” about why she resigned.
Back in June, van Damme announced she was terminating her DA membership and focusing on a misinformation monitoring and combatting project. This was months after she handed in her resignation from Parliament, prompting speculation of her exit emanating from a strained relationship with several party leaders including Steenhuisen and Chief Whip Natasha Mazzone.
Phumzile van Damme on her DA resignation
Phumzile van Damme hadn’t said much about the actual reasons behind her DA departure, until now. In a series of tweets, van Damme singles out Steenhuisen and Mazzone. She claims they had wanted her to not go after Facebook, citing the potential impact it might have on votes.
“The day I resigned, I was told by the Chief Whip, Mazzone to lay off Facebook. I could not do that & compromise my values so I resigned,” van Damme’s one tweet reads in part.
“I was not going to engage in this. I said when I resigned – leave me alone, I will leave you alone. I’ve literally been minding my business. You wanted me not to go after Facebook because it might affect the parties’ votes. I said no”
Former DA MP Phumzile van Damme
Van Damme has even posted of screen shots of her exchange with Mazzone. In the texts, Mazzone expresses her disapproval of van Damme writing a statement, in reaction to Facebook pulling out of a meeting with Parliament at the eleventh hour.
“I am SO glad my name is no longer associated with the joke the DA has become under your leadership. YOU are the country’s laughingstock & in the DA. I was not going to engage in war but you just couldn’t keep your trap shut could you (John Steenhuisen)? Mention my name again. I beg,” van Damme further tweeted.
