Axed Knysna Municipality deputy mayor Peter Myers was surprised by his party’s decision to vote him out for standing up against what he believed was illegal.
Yesterday, a majority of DA councillors voted in favour of a motion of no confidence in Myers during a special meeting. He remains a DA councillor. The motion was tabled by chief whip Levael Davis and seconded by Cathy Weideman.
The party said Myers's removal was because he had alienated his colleagues in the council, “virtually without exception” during his tenure.
Speaking to the Cape Times after yesterday’s council meeting, Myers said he did not regret standing up for what he believed was right.
“Of course I am surprised that the DA would vote out a deputy mayor based on the grounds that they have; that my colleagues do not want to support me in my fight against maladministration and corruption,” he said
Myers said his focus remained with residents of his ward, rather than his fellow councillors.
“There are questions surrounding the council’s decision and its legality, but putting that aside I continue as a councillor.
"I will do my best for the residents of my ward.
"I think there are some fundamental questions that need to be answered.
"I have reported the illegal behaviour to the police and a docket has been opened. I do not regret that at all because as councillors we have an obligation to report illegal behaviour.
"I am proud of what I have done, for standing up for good governance."
The decision to remove Myers was taken after a long consultative process by the party’s local leadership.
In addition, regional, provincial and federal leaders had tried unsuccessfully to intervene in rebuilding the relationship between Myers and the caucus.
DA Eastern Region leader Jaco Londt said that all of these interventions had been in vain.
“The breakdown in the relations started right from the beginning.
"Whatever he alleges now, the breakdown in the relationship and the breakdown in trust between the deputy mayor and the rest of the caucus started last year.
"Any of the allegations he is making now, which we are more than happy to follow on should we get proof of, is only subsequent to the deterioration in the relationship that started last year already,” Londt said.