There is no agreement between the DA and the NPP in Oudtshoorn
3 July 2015
It is completely untrue that the DA entered into an agreement with the National People's Party (NPP) in Oudtshoorn. The assertion by the ANC’s Western Cape Provincial Secretary, Faiez Jacobs, that an ‘alliance’ was forged between the DA and the NPP and that the DA ‘bought’ the NPP leader, Budih Chaaban, is a blatant lie.
It also makes no sense. Why would the DA need to enter into an agreement or an alliance with the NPP in Oudtshoorn while we already have the outright majority in the Council?
The ANC know very well that the only reason why the DA could not take control of the Oudtshoorn Council (despite our majority) is because the ANC constantly undermines democratic processes in Oudtshoorn.
The ANC’s most recent allegations are nothing more than typical dirty politics.
The Speaker of the Oudtshoorn Council, the NPP’s John Stoffels, resigned as Speaker out of his own free will. It was not because of any political agreement. In fact, his resignation, came as a surprise for the DA and the DA’s Chris Macpherson was elected unopposed as the new Speaker.
Yet, the DA welcomes Mr. Stoffels’ resignation and we believe it is the first of many steps towards political stability in Oudtshoorn.
A next positive step would be if the ANC gets rid of the mayor Gordon April, and the Deputy Mayor, Valencio Donson. Until now April and Donson have been in the middle of the political chaos in Oudtshoorn and the two biggest obstacles to a meaningful political solution in this town.
I realise that Mr. Jacobs is new to the Provincial Executive Committee of the Western Cape ANC and that he is probably not completely familiar with the ins and outs of the local political landscape. However, I need to point out to him that the ANC’s national minister of Cooperative Governance, Pravin Gordhan, as well as his deputy, is fully informed about the situation in Oudtshoorn and, together with the DA and other willing parties, they are working to achieve a peaceful and sensible political solution for Oudtshoorn.
It is time that the ANC stop their dirty games and, together with the DA and other parties, start acting in the best interest of Oudtshoorn.
Statement issued by Anton Bredell, DA Western Cape Chairperson, July 3 2015
