Truman Prince unlawfully appointed as acting MM

3 April 2023

The DA welcomes the Western Cape High Court’s judgement that declares the appointment of Truman Prince as acting municipal manager in the Central Karoo District Municipality null and void.

Upon the appointment of Prince, the Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Anton Bredell, called on the Central Karoo Executive Mayor, Gayton Mckenzie, to terminate Prince’s appointment, as he does not meet the minimum requirements prescribed by the Municipal Systems Act.

Mckenzie ignored the MEC’s appeal, and on 29 March 2023 the MEC approached the court for urgent relief regarding Prince’s appointment. The High Court granted the MEC’s application, as well as a cost order against the district municipality and against Truman himself.

Cadre deployment in the Central Karoo continues to create instability in the area, which seriously affects service delivery.

The appointment of Prince and the subsequent inaction of the mayor Mckenzie is a clear indication that the ANC/PA/KDF coalition governments in Central Karoo does not care about the people of the area and that their only concern is to enrich themselves and their cronies.

Residents of the Central Karoo must heed these early warnings prior to the 2024 Elections and ensure that they vote for a party that will put their interest first.

Issued by Tertuis Simmers, DA Provincial Leader, Western Cape, 3 April 2023