GEORGE NEWS - The coalition between the DA and FF Plus in George has come to an end. FF Plus deputy leader in the Western Cape Gert van Niekerk said he will only accept this when he hears it first-hand from his party leader, Dr Pieter Groenewald.
A meeting was set to take place between Groenewald and DA Leader John Steenhuisen yesterday afternoon, Wednesday 3 July. DA Western Cape Leader Tertuis Simmers said regardless of the meeting, the decision still stands.
He said the party's decision to exit the coalition with the FF Plus in George was communicated to their leader Dr Pieter Groenewald on Thursday 20 June, a day before the inauguration of the new mayor, Jacqulique von Brandis.
Simmers said DA Federal Chair Helen Zille notified Groenewald in writing. "It is important to note, elsewhere in the country our coalition with the FF Plus is still intact."
He said out of respect for the FF Plus he does not want to divulge the reason for this decision, but said there are 13 items of concern on the list sent to Groenewald.
"There is a clear, irreconcilable breach of trust with the FF Plus in George," said Simmers. "We have enough evidence, including voice recordings, to support our decision."
Van Niekerk said this news came as a shock to him and the rest of the FF Plus in George. He questioned the validity of the termination, saying the decision still needs to be discussed by the coalition oversight committee. Simmers maintains that the letter from Zille is the last step of the procedure, and that the decision is final.
Supports mayor
Van Niekerk, who is still recovering at home after a major back operation, said the FF Plus fully supports the new mayor, Jacqulique von Brandis. He also refutes rumours of lobbying with the ANC.
Van Niekerk could not attend Von Brandis's inauguration, but his name was submitted by the ANC as their choice of a mayoral candidate.
According to Van Niekerk, this decision did not carry his approval. He said he rejected an earlier request by the ANC to make himself available as their mayoral candidate.
"There was no friction between the FF Plus and the DA. We waited in vain for a meeting date to discuss their choice of mayor, before the council meeting last week," said Van Niekerk.
"That meeting never took place. It was only when I received calls from my FF Plus colleagues asking me why on earth they have to sit in the opposition benches in council, that we realised there is trouble. I find it quite unacceptable that we are being treated this way, especially after all the support the DA enjoyed over the years."
New agreement
The DA in George is one seat short for an outright majority in council. Since the forming of a coalition in December 2021, the DA could rely on the FF Plus and ACDP for support.
George Herald was told by a trusted source that a new agreement was concluded by the ACDP, who holds one seat in council.
Johan du Toit of the ACDP confirmed that he is aware of discussions with the ACDP party leaders, and said he will only be able to comment once he has heard back from them.
Von Brandis last week announced new representatives for the Garden Route District Municipality, which implies that the three George councillors who served in the district municipality, including Van Niekerk, have in fact been recalled.
Simmers said that although this announcement was made a bit prematurely, it is understandable, with all the excitement of the inauguration. The council process to appoint the new representatives took place on Friday 28 June.
Van Niekerk also serves as deputy mayor of the district municipality – a position that will most likely be appointed to another councillor.
According to a trusted source, the speaker of Hessequa, Andrew Stroebel, is a favourable candidate for the post of district mayor.
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