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Turbulence within Oudtshoorn Coalition as Mayor Macpherson Faces No Confidence Motion

Published July 29, 2024
6 months ago


The political landscape in the Greater Oudtshoorn area is undergoing significant upheaval following a pivotal motion of no confidence which led to the unseating of mayor Chris Macpherson. The Democratic Alliance (DA), once at the helm of the coalition government within Oudtshoorn Municipality, is now grappling with the fallout from what it considers a betrayal by its former coalition partner, the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus).


During a tumultuous special council meeting, the motion tabled by the African National Congress (ANC) was supported not only by the FF Plus, but also by the Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa (ICOSA) which, until recently, had formed a governing agreement with the DA. This alliance, which also included the Suid-Kaap Saamstaan party, now lies in fragments, sparking a period of political recalibration in the region.


In the wake of these events, the DA's regional chairperson, Venolea Fortuin, expressed a sense of betrayal, highlighting the FF Plus's recent electoral campaign promises that seemingly positioned them as reliable allies to the DA. Fortuin made it clear that this unexpected shift in allegiance, which favored the removal of Mayor Macpherson, necessitates a strategic reevaluation of prospective coalition partners leading up to the fast-approaching 2026 election.


On the flip side, FF Plus MP Corne Mulder presented a different narrative, pointing to serious allegations of imbalance and misdemeanors as the catalyzing factors behind the decision to support the no-confidence motion. Mulder emphasized the party's commitment to the residents of Oudtshoorn and underscored the DA's purported unilateral deviation from the coalition agreement as the reason for the breakup.


The residents of Oudtshoorn have been assured that despite the political turmoil, administrative functions of the municipality will persist uninterrupted. Furthermore, a council meeting is slated to occur within the coming week with the express purpose of electing a new executive mayor.


As the political drama unfolds, the reverberations of this shakeup are set to reconfigure alliances and potentially reshape governance in this Western Cape locale. Observers and residents alike remain vigilant for the next act in this political theater, one that will undoubtedly influence the future leadership and management of the Oudtshoorn community.



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