The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape announced on Monday that Isabelle de Taillefer, a former councillor for the Freedom Front Plus, has defected to its ranks. Ms de Taillefer will now stand as the DA’s candidate in the forthcoming by-election in Ward 9 of Stellenbosch.

A longtime VF+ supporter and representative, de Taillefer has also been a staunch supporter of Cape independence. However, recent developments in the party, as well as a stifling bureaucratic organisational culture, aversion to risk, and a permanently incumbent leadership place a ceiling on aspirations. Insiders have long been complaining about the party's insistence on remaining in the national ruling coalition, despite having no influence on outcomes, and their tepid commitment to self-determination, the party's core stated priority.

Recent decisions by party leadership to punish their representative and council speaker Juan van Schalkwyk in Swellendam, for attempting to hold the DA to account for corrupt activities, has been met a with a great deal of internal resentment. The Western Cape branch of the party has prided itself on taking a hard line on DA corruption, leading to many confrontations. But the lack of support from national leaders, too eager to keep the peace with the DA despite hardball tactics like the promise last year to kick out all VF+ members from Western Cape municipalities, has eroded confidence.

Tertuis Simmers, the DA’s provincial leader, expressed enthusiasm about the candidacy, and declared it as evidence that the DA is the only vehicle for sound governance in the region.

Leon Schreiber, the party constituency head for Stellenbosch, added that the defection is to mutual benefit: "rather than wasting her experience and knowledge in an irrelevant small party, she can now meaningfully apply it to the benefit of the residents of Ward 9 as well as the greater Stellenbosch."

Ms de Taillefer herself was excited about the switch. "During my time on the municipal council, I made good friends among the DA councillors who always selflessly supported me with advice and action to provide the best service to all our people. It is therefore with boldness that I make the move to the DA caucus."

Her admiration for Stellenbosch’s DA mayor, Jeremy Fasser, and deputy mayor, Mynard Slabbert, was equally clear. “I wholeheartedly support their vision,” she said, recalling the selfless support she received from DA councillors during her time on the municipal council.

The shift comes against a backdrop of simmering tensions between the DA and VF Plus in the Western Cape, which have fostered a complex political landscape over recent months. This friction could test coalition stability, both provincially and nationally.