DA MPs in tears as Mmusi says no

● Four DA MPs are said to have burst into tears and walked out of a caucus meeting when party leaders — including Mmusi Maimane — shot down their proposals for a radical stance on gender-based violence.

DA insiders said the group, led by Phumzile van Damme and party youth leader Luyolo Mphithi, wanted the proposals raised in the National Assembly on Thursday. They also proposed that the caucus stage a sit-in on the floor of the assembly chamber until President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed parliament on the issue.

DA leader Maimane said it would defeat the party’s agenda for the day. The assembly was due to debate a DA-sponsored motion on unemployment.

After their proposals were rejected, insiders said Van Damme and Mphithi broke down in tears before walking out.

Other MPs who were said to have “cried hysterically” before also leaving were Nazley Sharif and Hannah Winkler.

Insiders said Van Damme and her group, who had earlier joined a march to the gates of parliament, said what they had seen there had moved them. They told colleagues the DA could not carry on with business as usual and needed to do something radical.

In the caucus meeting, Van Damme, Mphithi, Winkler and Sharif sat together and raised their hands.

They addressed the caucus in succession, saying the DA needed to do more to support the protesters.

Maimane, chief whip John Steenhuisen and DA caucus chair Annelie Lotriet dismissed the proposals during a heated discussion that lasted about 30 minutes.

Approached for comment, Maimane referred questions to Steenhuisen, who said: “All caucus decisions are taken after debate and deliberations and are settled by consensus, and where there is no consensus, by vote.”

Lotriet said: “Caucus meetings are confidential.”

Sources at the meeting said Maimane pointed out that Ramaphosa had broken his silence the day before to address the marchers outside parliament. He said the president was also due to address the nation that evening.

Insiders said MPs opposed to the proposals told the four MPs that a sit-in on the floor of the assembly was against the rules of the house and the Powers and Privileges of Parliament Act.

The four walked out after they were defeated following a majority vote by a show of hands.