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DA ousted by ANC-majority coalition in Plettenberg Bay’s Bitou

Plettenberg Bay has a new mayor, Claude Terblanche, after a dramatic council meeting that saw him voted into office amidst motions of no confidence and political turmoil, with Terblanche's party breaking a coalition with the governing Democratic Alliance-led council.
DA ousted by ANC-majority coalition in Plettenberg Bay’s Bitou New mayor of the Bitou Municipality, Claude Terblanche. (Photo: Victoria O’Regan)
Suné Payne
By Suné Payne
2 Feb 2024
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Plettenberg Bay has a new mayor in Claude Terblanche. On Friday 2 February, during several motions of no confidence tabled in council, Terblanche was voted into office.

Terblanche, up until Friday morning, was the council speaker and his party played a role in the removal of the governing Democratic Alliance-led council.

As Daily Maverick reported on Thursday, Terblanche’s party — the Plett Democratic Congress (PDC) — was in a coalition with the DA and the Active United Front (AUF) to govern the coastal municipality since the conclusion of the 2021 municipal elections. The PDC broke the coalition over claims of a lack of cooperation and communication breakdown from the coalition partners.

Before the motions, Dave Swart (DA) was mayor, Mavis Busakwe (AUF) was deputy mayor and Terblanche was Speaker. Whip Annelise Olivier (DA) completed the municipality’s senior political leadership.

Read more in Daily Maverick: Another DA council under threat as Plettenberg Bay’s Bitou faces three motions of no confidence

In a council meeting that had three caucus breaks before the vote, it came down to voting for Terblanche or ousted mayor Swart DA to become the mayor of the coastal municipality in the Garden Route. In the 13-seat council, Terblanche received seven votes against Swart’s six votes.

In the council chambers, there was huge applause for Terblanche as he was officially confirmed as the new mayor by municipal manager Mbulelo Memani.

In a Facebook post after his ousting from office, Swart said: “I want to thank all who offered messages of support for their confidence in me. I still remain in council as Ward 2 Councillor and will continue to serve the citizens of this ward and other wards where able”.

Other new changes in the council include Nokuzola Kolwapi from the Ikhwezi Political Movement being elected deputy mayor.

Samkele Mangxaba (ANC) was elected council whip and Sandiso Gcabayi (ANC) - the councillor who submitted the motions of no confidence requests - is the new Speaker. DM

 

Comments (10)

Matthew Webb Feb 3, 2024, 11:15 AM

Sigh

Lisbeth Scalabrini Feb 3, 2024, 02:39 PM

The motion of no confidence is too easily passed. Isn't there a rule saying in which cases the Motion can be used?

Freda Brodie Feb 3, 2024, 02:49 PM

Does the elected leadership have the necessary qualifications to run this important municipality in the garden route? As As long

Cunningham Ngcukana Feb 4, 2024, 12:32 AM

They have better qualifications than Steenhuisen I guess.

Ben Harper Feb 4, 2024, 10:37 AM

Pay back the money

Cachunk Feb 3, 2024, 04:16 PM

Good luck Plett - you're going to need it.

colman1 Feb 3, 2024, 04:35 PM

After two years the 'looters' are back in. A black day for Plett.

blouhemel1 Feb 4, 2024, 10:05 AM

To those who say the DA must compromise to govern . I ask compromise what? Ethics ,principles morals? Everyone appointed to a position of management is assumed to have the welfare of the " employer" at heart and can be trusted to carry out the duties of the position he holds . When the trust is failed, do you blame the employer ? In our case the DA is carrying the burden for these failures and in this corner of the world it is fired by politicians, not voters,. By politicians, who's wax backbones have started to melt in the heat of burning money.

michaelw Feb 4, 2024, 10:47 AM

I hope Bitou enjoys its ride down the ANC supertube

andrelouisimmelman@gmail.com Feb 4, 2024, 01:09 PM

What a pity they did not look at their Neighbour in Knysna. When the COC(Coalition of Corruption) displaced the DA, the surplus in the municipal account dosappeared, water runs out every week, refuse collection is infrequent as all the garbage trucks are out of operation- need I go on? These guys are simply there to look out for no 1- they will steal whatever they can and are totally incapable of running a municipality.

studionicoross Feb 4, 2024, 04:34 PM

All the ANC wants is power. It has proven itself in every sector of the country that it has failed. The only reason they come into power is because majority of the anc supporters are uneducated and the anc has proven to only support the blacks.

Jacques Wessels Feb 5, 2024, 09:23 PM

My advise to all, get actively involved in civic structures eg Rate Payers, Neighborhood Watch etc. so to hold politicians iro party alliance accountable.