Embattled Cape Town mayor resigns

Cape Town's Mayor Patricia De Lille has resigned after almost a year of public squabbling with her own Democratic Alliance (DA) party.

She will no longer face a disciplinary hearing in public and the DA has dropped all charges against her.

The veteran politician had been accused of violating a code of conduct by sending a text message to a mayoral committee member, telling her which candidate to back in a vote for a new city manager. Another allegation was made, and since disproved, that she had used public funds to pay for security upgrades at her private residence. Ms De Lille has always denied these claims.

"Now I can get on with my life," Ms De Lille, 67, said at Sunday's press briefing, sat alongside DA leader Mmusi Maimane.

He said: "It is never easy to take action against one of your own. But I am confident that, throughout this painful period, we have acted in the best interests of the citizens we serve."

She tweeted a copy of her resignation statement and insisted that no deal was struck.

Observers say the DA's infighting is a political own goal ahead of next year’s crucial general election.

Mr Maimane stopped short of apologising to Ms De Lille, but praised her for achieving "great things" as mayor of Cape Town - "one of the best run cities in the country" which "maintains its position in that regard," he added.

It was announced that Ms De Lille will remain a member of the DA after she steps down from her post on 31 October.