DA leader Mmusi Maimane has taken responsibility for the DA’s electoral losses in last week’s election. In a letter sent to party members on Monday, and seen by Business Day, Maimane said he took "full responsibility" for the party's performance, which saw it fail to match its 2014 performance. His predecessors Tony Leon and Helen Zille both oversaw increases in support when they fought election campaigns. Maimane’s letter was sent out to all party members two days after the final election results were announced by the Electoral Commission of SA in Pretoria. The party lost support nationally and in crucial provinces such as the Western Cape and Gauteng. “As leader of the DA, I take full responsibility for the outcome of this election. I can honestly and in good conscience state that I did my very best and gave everything of myself in the run-up to this election,” Maimane said. Maimane makes it clear that the DA “cannot afford to undertake a period of self-destruction”. The party man...

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