Related Content De Lille heats up coalition struggle ANC takes reins as DA toppled in Eden District

GEORGE’S DA Mayor Flip de Swardt retained office on Friday after the unexpected withdrawal of an ANC no-confidence motion.

“Sanity prevailed,” said a relieved De Swardt, adding that it was clearly time for the DA to make amends with its Independent Democrats alliance partner in George.

The DA earlier said it would rather relinquish power than honour an earlier agreement to give an ID councillor the mayorship, because the party had reneged on other deals, including siding with the ANC on occasions.

The breakdown of the alliance offered the ANC the opportunity to seize power in the council, as happened last week in the Eden District, but De Swardt said on Friday he was still mayor thanks to “orders from the ID leadership”.

ANC regional secretary Putco Mapitiza said the decision to withdraw the no-confidence motion came after Speaker Bazil Petrus (ID) removed an agenda item calling for the council’s restructuring.

ID national organiser Joe McGluwa, who attended the council meeting with provincial secretary Rodney Lentit, said De Swardt’s refusal to resign was the reason for the new friction with the DA.

“He did not honour his agreement with us,” said McGluwa. “We expected him to do the honourable thing and resign.”

The ID wanted Petrus and Deputy Mayor Mercia Draghoender to stay in office until after Wednesday’s council adjustment budget meeting “before making decisions regarding their resignations”.

Mapitiza said the ANC was prepared to reintroduce its motion if it could agree with the ID on the process of filling the mayorship and other office bearers’ posts.

“The ANC’s intention is only to establish a stable coalition.”

The ANC took over Eden’s council last week after Mayor Leon Dorfling (Eden Forum) broke his coalition with the DA and formed a new partnership with the ANC.