The South African main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has removed MP Ghaleb Cachalia from its prestigious shadow cabinet due to comments he made regarding the Israel-Gaza war.
Cachalia, who previously held the position of shadow public enterprises minister, is said to have contravened the party’s stance on the conflict.
The party had designated a spokesperson for the Israel-Gaza issue and had advised its caucus members against making public statements that could exacerbate or divide the matter.
However, on Tuesday, Cachalia posted a tweet that read, “I will not be silenced. Israel is committing genocide.”
DA leader John Steenhuisen characterized Cachalia’s actions as “selfish and pursuing narrow self-interest above the common good”, according to public broadcaster SABC.
In response, Cachalia confirmed that he had received the dismissal letter from the DA leader but expressed his continued loyalty to the party.
He stated, “I continue to keep a watchful eye on human rights abuses here and globally and I will always speak truth to power.”
Mimmy Gondwe will step in as the new spokesperson for public enterprises within the party.
Source-BBC
