Cape Town - The ANC leadership in the province has summoned its Southern Cape and Oudtshoorn members for urgent talks at its headquarters after its councillors snatched back control of the troubled municipality from the DA - sparking renewed tension and political instability in the town.
The ANC, with the help of alliance partner, the Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa (Icosa), its former alliance partner, the National People’s Party and a rogue DA member, Jurie Harmse, on Friday passed a motion of no confidence against DA mayor Wessie van der Westhuizen, who was elected after the DA took over the council just over two months ago.
The takeover comes despite the municipality being placed under administration with the blessing of the national and provincial government while an intervention and support package were being implemented.
Confusion reigned in the Klein Karoo town as the public, administration and politicians tried to figure out which political party was legally in charge of the town.
The DA refused to recognise the ANC’s takeover, saying it was illegal - a sentiment echoed by some within the ANC ranks.
DA provincial leader Patricia de Lille said the party was seeking legal advice.
“The party is also investigating possible disciplinary steps against councillor Jurie Harmse,” De Lille said.
ANC provincial secretary Faiez Jacobs and chairman Marius Fransman were elsewhere at the time ANC councillors were staging their takeover last week.
Jacobs said on Monday that he had heard “after the fact” of the developments in Oudtshoorn.
“I’ve called the leadership in the Southern Cape region to come to the provincial office to explain what is happening in the town’s council and to develop a coherent approach that puts an end to the local party politicking that’s currently happening in the town,” he said.
Adding fuel to the fire, a case of housebreaking was opened after DA and Cope office bearers were locked out of their municipal offices when they arrived at work on Monday.
DA Speaker Chris MacPherson said he opened a case because their offices were allegedly opened at the weekend and the locks changed.
MacPherson and other DA members were waiting for the police to unlock the doors and take fingerprints on Monday afternoon. “Obviously they’ve broken in and I need to determine what has been stolen and which confidential information is now gone,” he said.
He said the motions the ANC had brought had already lapsed the previous week due to a lack of votes.
“The rules clearly state if a motion is not moved it lapses for three months,” MacPherson said.
“It has taken unbelievably long to get (John) Stoffels replaced and a vacancy declared. This was done deliberately so that Stoffels was able to vote on Friday.
“If he had been replaced this would not have happened.” he said.
NPP leader, Badih Chaaban did not mince words, saying his party would not work with the ANC in Oudtshoorn.
Chaaban in July already severed all political ties with the ANC after an eight-year working arrangement in several municipalities in the province.
Regarding NPP councillor Stoffels who voted with the ANC last week, Chaaban said Stoffels was no longer with the NPP:
“Stoffels was expelled on September 10 2015, and good riddance as he was a rubbish thief,” he added.
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) provincial head, Courtney Sampson explained that the law requires that a municipal manager must inform the IEC of a vacancy: “We received documentation from the acting municipal manager but nowhere in the documentation did he stipulate that there is a vacancy in Oudtshoorn. We wrote back and even called, explaining what is needed, but have not yet received the necessary letter that a vacancy has been declared in Oudtshoorn,” he added.
MEC of Local Government Anton Bredell who is currently abroad, said his department was investigating what happened on Friday.
Cape Argus