Update

KNYSNA NEWS - The removal of Knysna mayor Aubrey Tsengwa of the ANC at a special council meeting on Friday 14 February came after a third motion of no confidence in him in as many months.

The successful motion was brought by EFF councillor Neil Louw, and seconded by KIM's Mark Willemse.

Coalition parties

Ironically all the parties in Tsengwa's ANC coalition, the PA (two councillors), PBI, and EFF voted for his removal, as did the DA (8) and KIM (2). Only ANC councillors voted against the motion.

Deputy mayor Alberto Marbi, of the PBI, will be acting mayor until a new mayor is elected within 14 days.

'Executive reshuffle'

The DA has called for intervention by the Western Cape government because, it says, the latest development "will merely trigger a reshuffle of positions in the current executive, but will not change Knysna's political leadership".

In a statement Louw said the EFF celebrated a "pivotal" victory "for the people of Knysna", who, he said, had long yearned for effective and accountable leadership.

'Restore hope'

"The EFF calls for the swift election of a new mayor who is both capable and willing to restore hope and bring about real change in Knysna. This change is not just a victory for the EFF but for all those who believe in the vision of an inclusive, just, and economically liberated South Africa. We are confident that this shift in leadership will bring much-needed relief to the residents of Knysna, providing the opportunity for greater development, access to services, and a government that is truly accountable to the people," said Louw.

'Long overdue'

Previous motions that Tsengwa faced were brought by Marbi, whose was withdrawn, and Susan Campbell of KIM.

Ryan Smith, DA constituency head for Knysna, said the DA in Knysna welcomed the removal of Tsengwa.

Tsengwa's removal had been long overdue given allegations of corruption and misconduct, the latest of which had been documented in an investigative report by Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Anton Bredell.

Smith said Tsengwa's removal "will merely trigger a reshuffle of positions in the current executive, but will not change Knysna's political leadership".

'Provincial administration'

"The DA in Knysna strongly reiterates our call for the municipality to be placed under provincial administration."

"The Knysna council is too fractured to form a stable majority to govern in the interests of Knysna's residents, and the collapse of service delivery, coupled with Knysna's financial decline under the 'coalition of corruption', warrant a swift provincial intervention," said Smith.

Expresses gratitude

In his departure speech Tsengwa expressed gratitude to the council for the opportunity "to serve the people of Greater Knysna".

He said he looked forward to spending more time in ward 8, allotted to him as a councillor.

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