Cape Town – Former mayor Patricia de Lille believes her decision to start a new political party will unleash a new level of dirty tricks and a fierce campaign to discredit her.
She announced her intention to begin her new party on Sunday.
While the party's logo and name would be unveiled in the coming weeks, De Lille indicated her intention to contest in next year's national elections.
De Lille left the DA last month after being embroiled in political mudslinging. She said for the past 18 months she had endured the most vile and relentless dirty-tricks campaign to get rid of her as Cape Town mayor and to damage her reputation.
“The attack on my character, reputation and values by the DA cabal is nothing like I have ever experienced.
"The DA borrowed deeply from apartheid-era tactics - sham investigations with pre-determined outcomes, false criminal charges and forged documents.
"Their conduct shocked me. It was so obviously motivated by malice and hate. I had to ask myself what I had done to earn this level of hatred.
"It was hatred so deep and irrational that it was de-human,” she said.
De Lille said the DA had used and abused her. “I was in an abusive relationship and the abuser could not be rehabilitated.
"I was there when the democratic South Africa was negotiated and I was there when the Constitution was written. I know my rights.
"I fought for those rights. I turned to the judiciary to enforce and protect my rights against a DA that was hell-bent on removing me as mayor - flouting natural rules of justice, its own constitution, as well as the Constitution of South Africa.”
De Lille said she considered close to thousands of requests, from people across the city to continue to serve the country and to start a new political movement.
“I anticipate that my announcement today will unleash a new level of dirty tricks and a fierce campaign to discredit me and all those who join me in standing up for good.
"In my 24 years of serving in elected office I have witnessed the goodness of all South Africans.
“Today is an invitation for South Africans who believe in the good to join me. My plan is to continue engaging with all South Africans over the coming weeks.
"In January 2019, we will launch our campaign for a good South Africa. Cities and towns are the heart of our nation.”
She said she planned engaging with all South Africans over the coming weeks.
DA spokesperson Solly Malatsi said: “De Lille’s latest political move is consistent with her brand over the years. She has, whenever it has been politically expedient, moved from one political movement to another.
"De Lille was at odds with the DA because she refused to be held accountable when revelations of her covering up corruption came to the fore. She must now account for the criminal and corruption charges she faces.”
ANC provincial leader Xolani Sotashe said De Lille had to be congratulated for her decision, but would face stiff competition within the elections.