The DA Federal Chairperson, Helen Zille, seen with the DA National Spokesperson, Karabo Khakhau.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
The ‘forced’ withdrawal of DA spokesperson Karabo Khakhau from the party’s leadership race could trigger another political storm within a party that has been marred by leadership squabbles ahead of its elective congress next month.
This is according to several political analysts after Khakhau announced at the weekend that she was barred from contesting the party’s upcoming federal council deputy chair position for allegedly owing more than R4000 in party tithes.
Political analyst Professor Ricky Munyaradzi Mukonza said the situation reflects poorly on the DA, regardless of the technical details.
“This creates the impression that the DA puts up barriers that prevent black members from contesting leadership positions. The party needs to clearly explain why Khakhau was excluded from next month’s conference.”
Khakhau announced her 'forced withdrawal' from the race in a statement shared on social media on Saturday.
“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of my forced withdrawal from the deputy chairperson of the federal council leadership race,” she said.
She explained that the issue stemmed from a missed payment in July last year, which she said was rectified promptly.
“I mistakenly missed a payment in July. I had paid all my tithes from January to June and continued with August and September. On October 14, I was notified of the outstanding July tithe of R4250. Within 24 hours, I paid R8500, covering both July and October. I have continued to pay monthly and do not owe the DA a cent,” she said.
Another analyst, Professor Ntwanano Mathebula from the University of Johannesburg, described the situation as unusual, particularly in light of Khakhau’s claim that other party leaders with outstanding payments were not treated in the same way.
“Karabo says she doesn’t owe the DA anything. She is a national spokesperson and Member of Parliament. We are talking about a young African woman with strong credentials,” Mathebula said.
He added that the issue hinges on how the party’s constitution is applied.
“If the rules say members who owe should be excluded, then that must apply consistently to everyone. It cannot be selective,” he said.
Mathebula also pointed to allegations of internal tensions within the party, including claims of coordination between national and provincial structures to block Khakhau’s candidacy. He said her public stance suggests she believes her exclusion is linked to her views and political positioning within the party.
Khakhau, who serves on Parliament’s portfolio committee on higher education, said the DA’s Free State leadership refused to issue her a letter of good financial standing, despite her insistence that her account was up to date. The decision was later upheld by the party’s federal executive.
“This is despite precedents where leaders in similar situations were allowed to contest and, in some cases, went on to win,” she said.
She had been set to contest the deputy federal council chair position against senior party figures, including Sello Seitlholo, Annelie Lotriet and Thomas Walters.
In her statement, Khakhau warned that the DA risks alienating a key voting bloc if it fails to address internal dynamics.
“There is no party in South Africa that will succeed without mobilising the majority of voters, who are black, young and female,” she said.
Mukonza echoed that concern, warning the decision could have electoral consequences, particularly as the country heads towards local government elections.
“The decision could alienate voters at the polls,” he said.
He also noted that internal contestation within the DA is not unusual during periods of leadership transition, especially following John Steenhuisen’s decision not to seek re-election as party leader.
“It is a common political phenomenon. What we are seeing are competing camps, and ultimately those with influence and organisational strength will emerge at the conference,” Mukonza said.
Mathebula added that Khakhau’s future within the party remains uncertain, suggesting her situation mirrors that of other high-profile black leaders who have previously exited the DA, including Mmusi Maimane, Lindiwe Mazibuko and Phumzile van Damme.
Cape Times