The Surprising Return of Liam Jacobs to the DA

In a shocking political move, Liam Jacobs has officially left the Patriotic Alliance (PA) to return to his former political home, the Democratic Alliance (DA). Jacobs had previously served as a DA Member of Parliament and leader of the DA Students Organisation before his departure in June 2025.

After spending less than a year with the PA, where he was touted as a potential mayoral candidate for Cape Town, Jacobs has realized he made a grave error. He publicly apologized to the DA, stating that he was misled by promises and lies.

An Apology to the DA

Jacobs admitted that leaving the DA was a massive mistake, calling his initial exit “disgraceful”. He issued an unconditional apology to DA voters, leaders, and activists for the harm caused by his departure and his subsequent social media posts.

He acknowledged that he does not expect immediate forgiveness from the party. Instead, he intends to return to the DA not as a public representative, but as a grassroots activist committed to rebuilding trust through hard work.

Why Did Liam Jacobs Dump the Patriotic Alliance?

Jacobs heavily criticized the PA and its leader, Gayton McKenzie, citing a massive clash of values. He claimed that after seeing “behind the curtain,” he could no longer support the party in good conscience.

Here are the primary reasons Jacobs gave for leaving the PA:

• Alignment with the ANC: Jacobs accused the PA of being an “uncritical supporter” and cheerleader for the ANC, failing to hold the ruling party accountable for corruption.
• Dictatorial Leadership: Jacobs described McKenzie as a dictator, alleging that the PA has no democratic structures, elected leaders, or internal accountability.
• Cadre Deployment: Jacobs noted a worrying trend of PA-aligned figures receiving appointments in the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture, comparing it to destructive “Zuma-era politics”.
• Defending Fadiel Adams: He claimed PA members were instructed to blindly defend National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams during his legal troubles, simply because of his race.
• Violent Rhetoric: Jacobs expressed concerns that the PA’s rhetoric regarding immigrants is xenophobic and violent, contrasting it with the DA’s focus on the strict rule of law.

Gayton McKenzie and the PA Fire Back

The fallout between Jacobs and the PA leadership was immediate and highly public. PA leader Gayton McKenzie did not hold back, telling Jacobs on a social media broadcast to “leave the PA out of your mouth”.

McKenzie claimed that the PA never trusted Jacobs from the very beginning. He revealed that he had even warned senior party officials not to trust the young politician when he first joined the ranks.

“He Never Worked the Ground”

According to McKenzie, Jacobs failed to connect with the PA’s core voter base. McKenzie emphasized that the PA is not a middle-class party, but rather a political home for the poorest citizens with no income or opportunities.

He accused Jacobs of being lazy and avoiding groundwork, claiming Jacobs went to Rwanda instead of campaigning with the team. McKenzie stated that Jacobs simply could not relate to or speak to the everyday struggles of the PA’s voters.

The DA Welcomes the “Prodigal Son” Back

Despite the past drama, the DA has welcomed Jacobs back with open arms. DA leader and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis framed the return as a victory for the party’s growth and inclusivity.

Hill-Lewis noted that Jacobs’ return proves that the DA is a serious political home for those who want a working South Africa. He highlighted that people often take the wrong road, but correcting course is a sign of true bravery and maturity.

Impact on the Political Landscape

This high-profile defection comes as political parties ramp up their campaigns ahead of the crucial November elections. Political analysts suggest that Jacobs is ideologically more suited to the DA, which offers better organizational structures to nurture his career.

However, the move has sparked mixed reactions online, with some social media users labeling Jacobs a “flip-flopper” and a symptom of political opportunism. Regardless, his return shines a bright spotlight on the intense, ongoing rivalry between the DA and the PA.