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Through collusion and underhanded deals, the PA has yet again handed another local government back to the ANC – this time the Bitou municipality.

Motions of no confidence were submitted against the DA and AUF, resulted in the replacement of the DA mayor, Dave Swart, Councillor Annalise Olivier as Chief Whip and Councillor Mavis Busakwe as Deputy Mayor. Councillor Claude Terblanche of the PDC, a former coalition partner of the DA, was elected as the new Mayor with Councillor Sandisi Gcabayi (ANC) as the new Speaker, Noksi Kolwapi (Ikhwezi Political Movement) as the new Deputy Mayor, and Samkele Mangxaba (ANC) as Council Whip.

Historically, ANC governance in Bitou is marked with political instability, public unrest, illegal appointments, tender fraud and a municipality in constant financial distress resulting in poor service delivery. But the PA still thinks it good to hand the municipality back to the ANC.

PA president, Gayton McKenzie’s election manifesto spoke of how the PA will fight against corruption, specifically ANC corruption, but then he actively helps them into government? We have seen this in Beaufort West, George, Theewaterskloof, Gauteng and elsewhere, revealing a track record of self-interest, patronage and betrayal of his supporters.

Together with residents of Bitou, we are also disappointed in the conduct of the PDC. We remember the election promises of the PDC to ‘stand for Bitou and the development of Bitou.’ They had ample opportunity in regular coalition caucuses to discuss and solve any concerns they might have, but they have chosen to betray their coalition partners and residents of Bitou.

The DA wants to thank the residents of Bitou for their support and cooperation in the incredible progress the municipality has made since 2021. The DA still stands firm on our election commitments: we will never relent in fighting for good governance and quality service delivery in Bitou.

To all voters in Bitou, take note of today’s sell out! Make sure you register to vote and play your part to rescue South Africa from further ANC-failure and to keep the Western Cape DA.

Issued by Tertuis Simmers - DA Provincial Leader, Western Cape