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A motion of no confidence against DA Swellendam mayor Francois du Rand succeeded on Monday. (Facebook/Francois du Rand)
- DA Swellendam mayor Francois du Rand was removed during a special council meeting on Monday.
- The ANC tabled a motion of no confidence against him.
- The motion against Du Rand succeeded with six votes for and five votes against.
A motion of no confidence against DA Swellendam mayor Francois du Rand succeeded during a special council meeting on Monday.
The ANC and Freedom Front Plus voted to oust the DA from the mayor's office in the small Western Cape town.
The motion was brought forward by the ANC's Amanda Swart and seconded by Gladys Libazi, Julian Matthysen, Isaac Ferguson and Donovan Julius.
The motion against Du Rand succeeded with six votes for and five votes against.
Swart accused Du Rand of failing to implement council decisions, breach of the councillors code of conduct, failure to act on misconduct allegations and allegations of bribery, in the motion.
In August last year, News24 reported the DA was accused of trying to bribe an ANC councillor in the Swellendam Municipal council in a desperate bid to get him to resign and force a by-election in the local government authority.
Allegations of R1.5m in cash
Julius was approached by DA members to resign and, they alleged, if he did he would be paid R1.5 million in cash.
And to sweeten the deal, Julius claimed he was also offered another R500 000 towards his studies.
Swart in the motion said: "Alleged bribery involving a specific ANC councillor, as mentioned in the media. This raises serious concerns about ethical governance and the integrity of council processes."
Swart also accused Du Rand of failing to take action against municipal manager Anneleen Vorster who has been embroiled in tender irregularities worth over R40 million.
ANC provincial spokesperson Khalid Sayed said they welcome the removal of Du Rand, following a vote of no confidence led by ANC councillors.
"This marks the end of a period of corruption and maladministration under the DA's leadership, which has been shocking to witness and detrimental to the people of Swellendam."The DA has once again proven itself incapable of governing effectively, with residents suffering from poor or absent service delivery. The myth of the DA as a party of good governance continues to unravel, with a growing pattern of corruption and inefficiency evident across the province – from the City of Cape Town to Saldanha Bay, Matzikama and beyond," he said.
Council will reconvene next Tuesday for the election of a new mayor.
