Lennit Max

Lennit Hendry Max (born 1961/62) is a South African politician, advocate and police officer. He previously served as a Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament (2014–2018; 2004–2010), Shadow Deputy Minister of Correctional Services (2010–2014), Member of the National Assembly (2010–2014) and Western Cape Provincial Minister of Community Safety (2009–2010).

The Honourable

Lennit Max
Shadow Deputy Minister of Correctional Services
In office
10 September 2010 – 6 May 2014
Preceded byAlbert Fritz
Succeeded byWerner Horn
Western Cape Provincial Minister of Community Safety
In office
7 May 2009 – 2 September 2010
PremierHelen Zille
Preceded byPatrick McKenzie
Succeeded byAlbert Fritz
Member of the National Assembly
In office
10 September 2010 – 6 May 2014
ConstituencyWestern Cape
Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament
In office
21 May 2014 – 2 July 2018
In office
26 April 2004 – 10 September 2010
Personal details
Born1961/1962 (age 58–59)
Overberg, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
Political partyAfrican National Congress (2018-present)
Other political
affiliations		Democratic Alliance (2005-2018)
Independent Democrats (2003-2005)
Children1
OccupationPolitician

He is a member of the African National Congress, though he was previously a member of the Democratic Alliance and Independent Democrats.[1][2][3]

Life and career

Family and personal life

Max has studied at the University of South Africa and achieved LLB Degrees, as well as a National Diploma in Police Science, from the university. He has also achieved a Magister Legum in Labour Law from the University of the Western Cape.[4]

Max is married and has one child, Lennit Jr.

Career

After studying, Max joined the South African Police Service (SAPS). He was appointed Western Cape Provincial Commissioner of Police in 1999 and served until 2003 when he resigned after he was accused of sexual harassment. He received a substantial golden handshake.[5]

He joined the Independent Democrats in early 2003 and became Western Cape Provincial Leader of the Independent Democrats in September of the same year. He was elected to the Western Cape Provincial Parliament in 2004.

His time at the Independent Democrats was filled with controversies. He was accused of corruption by the party. The party debated whether to remove him as the party's provincial leader in 2004. He did offer his resignation as the leader but rescinded it after he heard that it would mean that he would be removed as a Member of the Provincial Parliament. He allegedly delayed his disciplinary hearings. He was suspended and expelled from the party in 2005 after the party found that he had breached his membership code of conduct.[6][7]

Following his expulsion from the party, he successfully held onto his seat in the Provincial Parliament. He ultimately crossed the floor on the first day of the 2005 floor-crossing period and joined the Democratic Alliance. He was appointed party spokesperson on Community Safety.

In 2007, Max challenged incumbent Theuns Botha for the post of Provincial Leader of the Democratic Alliance. He lost by a wide margin.[8]

After the 2009 elections, he was appointed Provincial Minister of Community Safety by Premier Helen Zille.[9][10]

In March 2010, Max yet again challenged Provincial Leader Theuns Botha. Botha won with 543 out of 990 votes cast compared to Max's 317 and Dan Plato's 123 votes. Seven ballots were invalidated.[11]

In September 2010, it was announced that Max and Albert Fritz would exchange positions. Fritz would now become a Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament and Provincial Minister of Community Safety, while Max would become a Member of the National Assembly and Shadow Deputy Minister of Correctional Services.[12][13]

It was speculated in 2012 that Max would enter the Democratic Alliance provincial leadership race. Max said that he was interested in running for the position, but ultimately chose not to run.[14]

In 2015, Max declared his candidacy to replace Ivan Meyer as Provincial Leader of the Democratic Alliance, as Meyer had announced that he is retiring after only one term. Max was defeated by Patricia de Lille.[15]

In 2017, he yet again declared his candidacy for the position of Provincial Leader. Patricia de Lille resigned as Provincial Leader in February 2017 and Bonginkosi Madikizela was appointed the interim leader. Max lost to Madikizela at the party's provincial congress.[16]

On 30 June 2018, it was announced that Max was appointed an advisor to the Minister of Police Bheki Cele. He resigned as MPP on 2 July 2018. It was speculated that Max would leave the Democratic Alliance, but he remained a member of the party until he announced in December 2018 that he is terminating his party membership. He subsequently joined the African National Congress.[17]

References
  1. Daniel, Luke. Lennit Max: Who is Bheki Cele’s new special advisor?, The South African, 30 June 2018. Retrieved on 12 January 2019.
  2. Mortlock, Monique. Lennit Max appointed special adviser to Bheki Cele, Cape Town, EWN, 30 June 2018. Retrieved on 12 January 2019.
  3. Chabalala, Jeanette. Lennit Max leaves the DA, joins the ANC, Mail & Guardian, 30 December 2018. Retrieved on 12 January 2019.
  4. Adv Lennit Hendry Max, People's Assembly. Retrieved on 12 January 2019.
  5. Former Western Cape police commissioner and DA MPL Lennit Max joins ANC, The Citizen, 30 December 2018. Retrieved on 12 January 2019.
  6. Terblanche, Christelle. Max's political career is on the line, South Africa, 15 November 2004. Retrieved on 13 January 2019.
  7. Lennit Max expelled from the Independent Democrats, 22 August 2005. Retrieved on 13 January 2019
  8. Botha re-elected as DA leader. Retrieved on 26 January 2019.
  9. Lennit Max crosses floor to join DA. Retrieved on 13 January 2019.
  10. Appointment of the Western Cape Provincial Cabinet, Western Cape Government, 7 May 2009, Retrieved on 12 January 2019.
  11. DA divided as Botha keeps top spot. Retrieved on 26 January 2019.
  12. De Lille joins Zille, City Press, 3 September 2010. Retrieved on 12 January 2019.
  13. Zille announces cabinet re-shuffle, EWN, 3 September 2010. Retrieved on 12 January 2019.
  14. Raubenheimer, Graeme. Max enters DA leadership race, Cape Town, EWN, 4 June 2012. Retrieved on 12 January 2019.
  15. De Lille crowned new Western Cape DA leader, Mail & Guardian, 18 April 2015. Retrieved on 12 January 2019.
  16. #WCcongress: Madikizela elected as DA’s provincial leader, IOL, 7 October 2017. Retrieved on 12 January 2019.
  17. WATCH: Cele advisor Lennit Max briefs media on his new role, eNCA, 2 July 2018. Retrieved on 12 January 2019.
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