He lost his position after a motion of no confidence was put forward by two members of his coalition - deputy mayor, advocate Faried Stemmet from Icosa and National People’s Party member, councillor Anthony Ewerts. The motion was carried by 17 votes against 12 after the DA’s alliance partners, the Independent Democrats, voted with the ANC coalition.
Council immediately elected Stemmet as the new mayor while Ewerts was voted in as deputy mayor, both beating the DA’s candidates by five votes. The ANC coalition is now effectively being led by two minority party members.
Why?
Before the meeting Stemmet told the George Herald that he is tabling the motion because Dorfling is autocratic and did not abide by the guidelines agreed to. "He interfered with administrative issues and put unnecessary pressure on officials. He was also trying to motivate a special events truck at the exorbitant cost of R1,7-million - money that could be spent on more pressing social and economic issues."
In his acceptance speech as mayor, Stemmet urged all political parties to work together for the benefit of all. "I promise to draw a clear line between the administrative and political divide."
He added that Eden’s relationship with the B municipalities had deteriorated during the past few months and that he intends to establish an inter-municipal forum to promote cooperation.
Reaction
After being ousted Dorfling shook his head in disbelief at the ANC coalition’s new leadership choice and briefly spoke to reporters. "What a combination," he said, referring to Stemmet and Ewerts. "What a joke. I became very unpopular because I insisted on investigations into overspending regarding Camp Eden, a municipal youth project, and the recent World Corporate Golf Challenge."
When given the floor Dorfling said it is fortunate that he has a well balanced temperament. "In my term I have had to handle the good the bad and the ugly. I will not hang out the dirty washing, although the laundry baskets are full. But questions will be asked."
DA chief whip Patrick Murray said the DA was against the motion to oust the mayor, not because of fondness for Dorfling, but because he was doing a good job and that he seems willing to fight corruption and to investigate irregularities. In this regard he also mentioned the Golf Challenge and Camp Eden.
Floor crossing history
Dorfling has been mayor since July 2009, when he was elected to the position by the DA coalition with the help of one rogue vote from the opposition benches.
Just four months prior to this, Stemmet was the DA’s candidate and elected mayor by the DA after the ANC walked out of the meeting. At the time Dorfling was the ANC’s mayoral candidate. The ANC took the matter to court where the election was judged to be illegal. Stemmet was then forced to stand down.
Both the ANC and DA alliances had 15 seats each and as a result, Dorfling and Stemmet changed allegiance. Dorfling, now the DA’s candidate, eventually broke the deadlock and defeated the ANC’s mayoral nominee, none other than Faried Stemmet.
Crossing continues
But this was not the end. At the beginning of December Dorfling joined the ANC coalition and was rewarded by being re-elected as mayor.
This followed major fall-outs between Dorfling and DA councillors about appointments and the pending investigation regarding the suspended municipal manager, Godfrey Louw.
Seven months later Dorfling seems to fall victim of his own indecision as to his true political home.
The 2011 municipal elections are looming and the new mayor, Faried Stemmet, can expect a very bumpy political ride.
Article and photos: Ilse Schoonraad
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Dorfling sits isolated while his coalition members happily contemplate the new mayoral era.
