Phumzile van Damme on DA resignation: 'I leave on my own terms'

• Phumzile van Damme said she will not be drawn into any negativity that may emanate following her resignation as MP, and from the DA.
• Van Damme previously served as national spokesperson for the party and fought for the independence of the SABC.
• DA national spokesperson Siviwe Gwarube said the party accepted the resignation.

Former DA member Phumzile van Damme maintains she left the party on her "own terms".

Van Damme announced on Thursday evening that she was stepping away from her position as MP and from the party. 

In her resignation letter, she said she will not be joining another political party nor will she be using her time to launch attacks on the DA. 

"I leave on my own terms, having made my own decisions. Nonetheless, in a climate of rumours and the need to create heroes and villains, my resignation as MP is not because the DA is a so-called "racist party", but because of a clique of individuals - and, in order not to make the good women and men still in the DA suffer, I will not delve further into this."

Van Damme said she will focus on her future and will not be conducting any interviews. 

"Nor will I be drawn into any negativity that may emanate from the DA. Should the party choose to destroy my reputation and impugn my character, I will not engage in a back and forth." 

Van Damme previously served as national spokesperson for the party and fought for the independence of the SABC.

Last year, DA leader John Steenhuisen made a controversial decision to remove Van Damme from his shadow cabinet. He also extended her three months of sick leave, which he described as a "sabbatical".

Van Damme also spoke candidly about the kind of treatment she received in the party.

DA national spokesperson Siviwe Gwarube said the party accepted Van Damme's resignation. 

"We extend our best wishes to Phumzile and thank her for her extraordinary service to the DA in Parliament and, by extension, the country. From taking on Bell Pottinger, fighting for an independent SABC and her tenure as DA national spokesperson, Phumzile demonstrated her talent as a political communicator and a parliamentarian."

Steenhuisen did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publishing.