Athol Trollip Maimane EFF

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – OCTOBER 01: Ousted Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Athol Trollip addresses the audience at the Cape Town Press Clun on October 01, 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa. Trollip, who lost his mayoral position to UDM’s Mongameli Bobani, revealed that some of the DA leaders in PE may have sabotaged the party. (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Jaco Marais)

Double trouble: Athol Trollip resigns with Maimane, says EFF “cut my throat”

It’s a double-whammy for the DA, as Athol Trollip has also resigned from his position within the leadership structures of the party, along with Mmusi Maimane.

Athol Trollip Maimane EFF

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – OCTOBER 01: Ousted Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Athol Trollip addresses the audience at the Cape Town Press Clun on October 01, 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa. Trollip, who lost his mayoral position to UDM’s Mongameli Bobani, revealed that some of the DA leaders in PE may have sabotaged the party. (Photo by Gallo Images / Netwerk24 / Jaco Marais)

Athol Trollip has quit his role within the Federal Executive of the Democratic Alliance, just days after he was beaten to the organisation’s chairperson role by Helen Zille. It marks a dramatic downturn in fortunes for the party veteran, who was ousted as the Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor last year.

Trollip is following Mmusi Maimane out the door, who announced his resignation as party leader just moments before. The double-blow to the DA could have immense consequences, in a week, month, or even year of reckless self-destruction for the second biggest political party in South Africa.

Mmusi Maimane and Athol Trollip resign from DA positions

Both are unhappy with the changing dynamics within the DA. Without directly mentioning Helen Zille in their farewell speeches, it’s though her return to the party’s hierarchy has upset the two senior figures.

“My decision today is not an easy one. It’s taken out of soul searching. I’ve been a public rep for 25 years. Mmusi inspired me when he said DA is not a home for us. I was deeply inspired by that. The highlight of my career was being elected mayor of NMB. When I was mayor I was able to implement DA policies that developed people.

“A low-light was when the EFF decided to cut the throat of whiteness and that throat was mine. They even managed to turn one of our own and the landslide that’s happened since is evident. I firmly believe that there’s a time to come and a time to go and realised that this past weekend was my time to go.”

Athol Trollip

What now for the DA?

Just where do the party go from here? Their public image has been in freefall since Patricia de Lille fell foul of the party’s disdain. Now, Maimane and Trollip have suffered a similar fate. Confidence in the party has been knocked spectacularly. Helen Zille has promised to “rebuild” and “save” the DA. Just three years ago, they looked like they were at the peak of their powers.

They gained control of major metros and held on to their coveted spot in Cape Town. However, it’s all gone south since then, with 2019’s Election results reflecting how the electorate sees the Blues. With the EFF closing the gap to their “more illustrious” opposition, the DA don’t just stand at a crossroads – they’re stood facing traffic on the N1.