---
title: "DA’s Raymond Ross elected Cape Agulhas mayor after no-confidence vote against predecessor"
description: "Cape Agulhas, a Western Cape municipality known for its natural beauty and clean audits, has a new mayor after his predecessor was removed by a motion of no confidence."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "MUNICIPAL POLITICS"
author: "Suné Payne"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/sune-payne/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-06-26-das-raymond-ross-elected-cape-agulhas-mayor-after-no-confidence-vote-against-predecessor/"
published: "2024-06-26T21:56:19"
updated: "2024-06-26T21:56:22"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 463
---

# DA’s Raymond Ross elected Cape Agulhas mayor after no-confidence vote against predecessor

> Cape Agulhas, a Western Cape municipality known for its natural beauty and clean audits, has a new mayor after his predecessor was removed by a motion of no confidence.

By Suné Payne · Published 26 June 2024, 23:56 SAST · Updated 26 June 2024, 23:56 SAST

## Key points
- Raymond Ross takes the reins as the new mayor of Cape Agulhas Municipality, stepping in after his predecessor was ousted for misconduct, with the DA expressing confidence in his ability to uphold the municipality's track record of excellence and clean audits, although facing scepticism from the ANC over his ties to the former mayor.
- Raymond Ross elected as new mayor of Cape Agulhas Municipality after former mayor removed for misconduct.
- Ross, from DA, praised for serving with "humility and integrity" in municipality comprising towns like Bredasdorp and Struisbaai.
- Municipality received clean audits for 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 financial years.
- Trust deficit as ANC councillor questions Ross's appointment due to relationship with former mayor, calls for fiscal responsibility and inclusive service delivery.

## Content

Raymond Ross is the new mayor of the Cape Agulhas Municipality. The former mayor was removed by a no-confidence vote after a disciplinary committee found him guilty of misconduct.

Ross, from the Democratic Alliance (DA), was elected as mayor during a council sitting on Tuesday, 25 June. The municipality comprises towns including Bredasdorp, Napier, Elim and Struisbaai. Ross is also the ward councillor for Ward 1, which includes Napier, Elim and surrounding farms.

DA Western Cape leader Tertuis Simmers said Ross had served the people of Cape Agulhas since 2021 with “humility and integrity”.

“The Cape Agulhas Municipality has for years been one of the best-performing municipalities in the country and we are confident that, under Raymond’s leadership, the municipality will continue to excel.”

The municipality received clean audits for the [2020/2021](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-06-30-laingsburg-kannaland-and-beaufort-west-still-identified-as-troubled-western-cape-municipalities/) and [2021/2022 financial years](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-06-04-cape-town-and-prince-albert-pave-the-way-with-clean-audits-but-problems-persist-in-beaufort-west-laingsburg-and-kannaland/).

Before being elected as mayor, Ross was the municipality’s deputy mayor and acted as mayor for a month after the removal from office of former mayor Paul Swart, also from the DA.

​​Swart was removed from office on [31 May](https://capeagulhas.gov.za/2024/05/31/press-release-alderman-paul-swart-removed-as-executive-mayor/) in a motion of no confidence with six out of 10 votes cast against him. According to a municipal release at the time, “The motion was based on the findings of the disciplinary committee who \[sic\] found Alderman Swart guilty of misconduct.”

He was found guilty of failing to disclose interests, and unauthorised expenditure. Swart is now a Western Cape delegate for the DA at the National Council of Provinces.

#### **Trust deficit**

African National Congress (ANC) councillor Renier Louw said the party did not support Ross’s appointment because of his relationship with Swart.

“It’s going to be very difficult because Mr Paul Swart and Mr Ross were very close friends,” said Louw.

“So Mr Ross will have to work very hard in order to win the trust of the other councillors and also the community to showcase that they are serious about rooting out corruption and \[providing\] service delivery within the Cape Agulhas Municipality.

“The mayor’s priorities should look at ensuring that the budget is being spent … and to ensure that fiscal responsibility needs are adhered to.”

Louw said Ross should ensure that service delivery “must be delivered to all citizens of Cape Agulhas and not only a certain demographic or their constituents”.

In addition, the new mayor should “reach over the aisle to the opposition parties to ask for assistance and for ideas to bring us on board and not to exclude the opposition councillors with regards to key decisions that need to be taken within the municipality”.

Councillor Karin Donald (DA) was elected as deputy mayor at the sitting where Ross was elected mayor and Sikhulule Ngxowa was sworn in as a DA councillor. He filled the vacancy caused by Swart’s resignation. **DM**