Cape Town Mayor Patricia De Lille will hold on to her mayoral chain after she won round two of her legal challenge against the Democratic Alliance (DA) and its decision to terminate her party membership.
The high court in Cape Town ruled the DA had violated its own constitution and rules, finding a panel of the DA Federal Legal Council, which made a determination on the automatic cessation of her membership, was improperly constituted.
In addition, De Lille was not given a fair opportunity and time to submit evidence to fight the cessation of her membership.
"The determination by the first respondent that the applicant has ceased to be a member of the DA....is declared to be unlawful and invalid and is reviewed and set aside with costs," said Judge Andre Le Grange in a unanimous judgment.
Last month, De Lille won part one of her challenge against the DA - an interim order allowing her to carry on as mayor while the current matter was before the court.
- African News Agency (ANA)
