The Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed the support of the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) for its mayoral candidate in Swellendam in the Western Cape.

The provincial leader of the DA, Tertuis Simmers said he welcomed the FF+ Federal Executive’s decision to ensure that the party's councillor in Swellendam, Juan van Schalkwyk, will support the DA Mayoral Candidate, Francois du Rand, in the mayoral vote in Council on Monday.

This comes after Du Rand was removed after a motion of no confidence on Monday, January 27.

Previously, the African National Congress (ANC) said Du Rand's removal was due to a serious case of non-compliance with duties, obligations, and responsibilities stipulated under the Municipal Structures Act (Act No. 117 of 1998).

The party said the motion was based on documented evidence, legislative violations, and community feedback regarding the performance and conduct of Du Rand.

“This support is conditional on an investigation into allegations made by Councillor van Schalkwyk against Alderman Du Rand. Alderman Du Rand and the DA welcome an independent and impartial investigation into these allegations. In the interest of fairness, we have set a corresponding condition: that allegations against Councillor van Schalkwyk be included in the same investigation,” Simmers said.

He said he hopes the Swellendam instability can now be placed aside and the work of governing the municipality in the interest of all its residents can now move forward.

The FF+’s Wouter Wessels who spoke on behalf of the Federal Management Committee (FMC) said the party will fulfill its coalition obligations in the Swellendam Local Municipality but remains committed to clean governance, regardless of who governs where.

Wessels said the party’s FMC held a series of meetings to discuss what had transpired.

The FF+ has been in coalition with the DA since 2021.

The party said this follows the decision by one of its councillors, Van Schalkwyk to vote in support of the motion of no confidence in Du Rand.

“The FF+ appointed a panel tasked with thoroughly investigating this matter as well as the relationship between the FF+ and the DA in several coalitions.

The FMC also decided that the FF+ would vote for a DA candidate, in accordance with the coalition agreement, in the upcoming council meeting during which a new mayor will be elected, Wessels said.

While there has been speculation the FF+ would enter into a coalition with the ANC, the party said it would not allow the ANC to come to power in Swellendam.

Wessels said the FF+ is committed to eradicating all forms of corruption and mismanagement, and ensuring accountability and transparency.

The party demanded all allegations of irregularities levelled against Du Rand be thoroughly investigated. Wessels said the FF+ will table a motion launching such an investigation to the Council soon.

“A comprehensive list of 14 serious allegations warranting investigation include: that the mayor unlawfully amended an independent investigation report; and that the mayor attempted to bribe a councillor. It is in the interest of every resident and the stability of the current coalition to handle allegations of this nature with as much transparency as possible,” Wessels said.

The party is also calling on the DA to support its motion in the spirit of transparency and accountability.

“It is also important for the DA to take the implications of such an investigation into account when nominating a suitable candidate for the office of mayor,” Wessel said.

robin.francke@iol.co.za

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