East London - During a provincial elective conference, the Democratic Alliance were divided on issues surrounding Helen Zille.
During his key note address party leader Mmusi Maimane said the DA’s sole focus was far too important to have to take a backseat to sideshows and distractions.
"Our project cannot afford to be derailed. Too many people are counting on us to make it work."
He said the DA's cause was "certainly not helped by public discussions and arguments on topics such as colonialism".
"We live in a time of heightened racial tension, the embers of which are regularly reignited by those who stand to benefit from mistrust and division. But we don’t have to buy into it, and we don’t have to fan the flames."
The DA's federal committee formally laid charges against Zille for her remarks on colonialism.