The Democratic Alliance (DA) has confirmed that Liam Jacobs is no longer a Member of Parliament (MP) following his recent defection to the Patriotic Alliance (PA). This confirmation came in response to questions regarding Jacobs’ resignation and status within the party.

DA spokesperson Karabo Khakhau said: “The DA hasn’t received a resignation letter from Liam. Our constitution, however, dictates that should one be found promoting another political party, their membership is terminated immediately.

”This has happened, and the speaker of Parliament had been informed that he is no longer a member of the DA and therefore no longer a DA MP.”

IOL previously reported that Jacobs, 24, who has been an MP representing the DA since a young age, surprised political observers when he publicly joined the PA during a Facebook Live broadcast hosted by PA President and Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, on June 13

Jacobs posted on social media, “I am finally free. The fight for truth, accountability and justice continues! I am finally home. Thank you, people. Thank you! And a big thank you to Pres McKenzie and all the patriots who welcomed me with open arms and love.”

The live stream was notable for a brief moment when McKenzie stepped away, leaving Jacobs to announce his defection on camera. During the broadcast, Jacobs called McKenzie “father,” signalling a close political alliance, and expressed enthusiasm for his new political home.

Addressing claims from the PA and Jacobs that he was “used” by the DA while serving on the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture to undermine the PA, Khakhau said, “The nature of political party representation is that public representatives are deployed to serve in certain fields for strategic purposes.”

The DA believed that serving in the Sports Portfolio Committee is aligned with his strengths. There’s nothing wrong with that. In the same way that the party believes that serving in Higher Education PC is aligned with my strengths and serves the best objectives of the party.”

She added that the party rejects claims that Jacobs’ work was intended to harm the PA, highlighting instead an instance where “Gayton telling Liam that he must go campaign in the NC for Youth Day,” indicating the PA was actively involving Jacobs in their campaigns.

On the broader criticism by the PA that the DA has failed to adequately represent coloured communities in the Government of National Unity (GNU), Kakhau said:

“Liam himself is coloured, and the DA gave him an opportunity to serve as an MP at 24. There are many other coloured leaders in the DA, Coloured Provincial Ministers, Provincial Leaders. There is just no such [lack of representation].”

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za

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