KNYSNA NEWS - A row has erupted between KIM and the DA over the appointment of Mark Willemse of KIM as the new speaker in the Knysna council.

Willemse was elected unopposed on Friday 30 May following the removal of the former ANC speaker, Mncedisi Skosana, by Western Cape Minister of Local Government Anton Bredell.

Bredell announced his sanction in an email to Skosana's legal representative on 16 May, based on the findings and recommendations of an investigation into the conduct of Knysna councillors. It related to the illegal appointment and payment of staff last year.

'Purveyor of fake news'
Now a war of words has surfaced between KIM and the DA over Willemse's acceptance of the speaker post.

DA constituency head Ryan Smith issued a statement saying that, with Willemse's acceptance of the post, KIM had "formally joined" the ruling coalition of the ANC, EFF, PA, and PBI.

KIM hit back in a statement released on 1 June, calling the DA "a purveyor of fake news". The KIM statement pointed out that Willemse's election as speaker was unopposed and that the DA "did not bother to nominate their own candidate for speaker".

Crutch
KIM said the DA's media statement was "littered with disinformation and blatant lies", which included implying that Kim had decided to "prop up" the ruling coalition after the coalition lost three members (the resignations of former mayor Aubrey Tsengwa and former deputy mayor Alberto Marbi as councillors, and the removal of Skosana).

Smith said the DA has, on principle, refused to stand for or negotiate with the ruling coalition for any lucrative positions in the council, choosing to be a strong opposition rather than act as a "crutch" for a failing government.

"Unfortunately for the residents of Knysna, KIM has now turned itself into this crutch."

He distanced the DA from parties that "sow racial hatred and division such as the EFF, or parties that have engaged in maladministration in Knysna such as the PA, PBI and ANC".

KIM repudiated this, responding that Willemse's acceptance of the post does not amount to joining the coalition. "The truth is that KIM has not joined any coalition, nor have we made deals with other political parties. We remain independent and are accountable only to the people of Knysna," it said.

'Fake news'
The KIM statement pointed out that it had promised its support for a DA candidate for mayor in February, as well as for a DA nominee for deputy mayor in March. 

"However, they refused to nominate a candidate and spoiled their votes, rather than support a KIM candidate."

KIM also denied that it had sought support from the EFF and others to get them the "lucrative" speaker position, as claimed by the DA.

"In truth, KIM did not lobby for, or ask the EFF, or any other member of the ruling coalition, for the position of speaker."

Mark Willemse was nominated and he accepted the position of speaker, in the interests of the council, the town, and its residents, said the statement.

"The position of speaker is intended to be an impartial position."

Removed
Skosana was one of the top three officials in council that Bredell had removed from his position. He is going to challenge this move legally, according to Western Cape ANC provincial leader and spokesperson Khalid Sayed.

Bredell said in his email that the resignations of former mayor Aubrey Tsengwa and deputy mayor Alberto Marbi as councillors and the findings against them "may not be enforced".

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