DA frees Oudtshoorn from ANC clutches

17 July 2015

Today the DA took its rightful place in the Oudtshoorn Council, as the majority, and unseated the ANC Mayor and the Deputy Mayor who have clung onto power unlawfully.

In a meeting of the Oudtshoorn Council today, a motion of no confidence in ANC Mayor Gordon April and the Deputy Mayor, Vlancio Donson (Icosa), was passed by a majority.

With this vote the DA, almost two years after we obtained the majority in the Council, has freed the Oudtshoorn Council from ANC clutches.

Since the DA won a by-election in August 2013 and thereby obtained the majority in Council, the ANC has refused to relinquish power. Because of the damage that the ANC has caused in Oudtshoorn in the process, an urgent motion was also passed today that the DA-led Oudtshoorn Council will request the Western Cape Provincial Government to place Oudtshoorn under administration.

The Council also accepted the rescue plan for Oudtshoorn of Minister Pravin Gordhan and MEC Anton Bredell.

Furthermore, the Council voted in favour of the withdrawal of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s delegation register, and Council approved the Oudtshoorn budget.

The people of Oudtshoorn have suffered for far too long under poor ANC governance, wasteful expenditure and corruption.

We firmly believe that we will now be able to bring stability to Oudtshoorn’s finances and to restore good governance and service delivery.

Statement issued by Patricia de Lille, DA Western Cape Leader, July 17 2015