Eastern Cape ANC MPL, Christian Martin, is pushing for support for former DA leader Helen Zille to be investigated by the SA Human Rights Commission over her remarks about colonialsm.
Zille sparked a social media outcry for a tweet last Friday in which she said "For those claiming legacy of colonialism was ONLY negative, think of our independent judiciary, transport infrastructure, piped water etc." Zille later apologised.
In a statement, Martin said "Zille should pay the ultimate price for her reckless comment that exposed her opinion on colonialism and furthermore that South Africans see a positive side of colonialism."
He said "this is not only outrageous but an insult on democracy. Colonialism like apartheid was a system of oppression, degradation and subjugation and it can never be justified or seen in any other view."
Martin said it was clear that Zille was no longer fit to stay in her position as Premier of the Western Cape, adding that this incident should be investigated by The Human Rights Commission, Equity Court and Zille should be subjected to disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, DA leader Mmusi Maimane has again stressed that neither he nor the party shares the views of the party's former leader, Helen Zille, on colonialism.
Speaking in Pietermaritzburg on Monday, Maimane said the DA has been guided by the 1994 pact of non-racialism, adding that their stance was clear.
"That is why when you look at everybody who is here, black, white, Indian and colourerd, together working to build that (non-racialism). Any view that seeks to undermine that pact is a view that is inconsistent with what the DA stands for," he said.
Maimane said that is why he had taken deliberate action "to say the words of Premier Helen Zille are inconsistent with the party."
The DA leader said it was for this reason that he had referred Zille to the party's disciplinary committee.
"I do not support the views, I do not share the view," Maimane said.
