Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament Ghaleb Cachalia has resigned from the party, citing discomfort with the leadership as a primary reason. This comes shortly after party member Khume Ramulifho’s resignation. Cachalia pointed to his remarks on the Israel-Hamas war as a catalyst for his departure, stating that the party leadership was increasingly uneasy with his public statements.
In a post on social media, Cachalia revealed that he was dismissed from his position in the shadow cabinet due to his comments on the Gaza conflict, where he stated, “Israel is committing Genocide.” The party accused him of contradicting official DA policy and violating a caucus injunction, leading to a ‘Cease and Desist’ notification.
Cachalia disputed the existence of documented policy and criticized the party for lacking transparency on its website. He expressed concern about the party’s growing dysfunctional, undemocratic, and authoritarian tendencies.
DA leader John Steenhuisen removed Cachalia from the shadow cabinet for undermining leadership and non-compliance with rules, replacing him with Mimmy Gondwe.
Cachalia, vowing to continue speaking truth to power, announced his immediate resignation and stated his intention to evaluate future options outside the current incarnation and leadership of the DA. The party’s national spokesperson, Solly Malatsi, welcomed the resignation, rejecting Cachalia’s claims and emphasizing the party’s commitment to peace and a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict. The DA plans to fill the resulting parliamentary vacancy.