The previous governing coalition, composed of the DA, VF+, ICOSA, and local party Saamstaan, was collapsed on Thursday when the DA walked out of the joint caucus. A motion of no confidence had passed against corruption-accused DA Mayor Chris McPherson, and the DA had offered no replacement candidate.

In response, the DA threatened to kick the party out of all coalitions in the province, where endemic corruption has been protected by the DA for decades.

Following this collapse, the VF+ took the initiative, and invited all parties to new discussions over a “government of local unity”.

The new Government of Local Unity has installed Johan Allers of the FF Plus as the new mayor. The FF Plus extended an invitation to the DA to join the GLU from the beginning, but after shunning the olive branch, they have been shut out of government.

Mr Allers was elected with 14 votes to 9 after opposition parties took the historical step to commit themselves to working together in a local unity government – much like the national government.

As on national level, there is not a single party in Oudtshoorn with enough support to govern on its own.

This development follows the pleas of former coalition partners of the DA in Oudtshoorn to replace Mr Macpherson amid numerous complaints and grievances.

The DA refused to comply with the requests and decided to rather break its coalition agreement with the FF Plus and other parties than appoint another candidate in the mayoral position.

Macpherson’s ousting through a motion of no confidence was attributed to several grievances:

In November 2023, Oudtshoorn’s Infrastructure Director was dismissed without adhering to prescribed disciplinary procedures. Macpherson ignored a collective caucus decision in which three of the four coalition parties (FF Plus, ICOSA, and Saamstaan) opposed the dismissal.

The dismissal pertained to the relocation of a sewer pipe at a new development, specifically the R3.1 million cost. The ousted director argued that the developer should bear the cost, while Macpherson insisted the Municipality should pay, sparking public outrage.

In February, the sewer pipe issue resurfaced in council, along with a proposal for the Municipality to handle the relocation. The coalition partners demanded a legal opinion, but Macpherson proceeded to direct the Municipal Manager to relocate the pipe.

A similar dispute arose at another site, with Macpherson advocating for municipal coverage of electrical connection costs against the director and coalition partners' stance that the developer should pay.

Macpherson drafted a municipal budget without coalition input. When partners voiced dissatisfaction, he dismissed their concerns, asserting it was “his budget” and that smaller parties had no say.

He ignored coalition plans to reduce high property rates.

On June 7, 2024, the DA missed a caucus meeting, prompting coalition partners to reject the budget. Macpherson negotiated with the ANC outside the coalition, securing budget adoption with non-coalition support, effectively breaching the coalition agreement.

Frequent complaints highlighted Macpherson's unilateral reversals of committee decisions and lack of cooperation with committee chairs.

Macpherson restricted the powers of the FF Plus Speaker, barring him from committees such as the KKNK Committee and the Water and Sanitation Work Group.

An FF Plus councillor was unlawfully removed from the Housing Work Group by Macpherson, despite such appointments being council's prerogative.

The Mayor’s media officer served only Macpherson, neglecting the coalition and other parties.

Macpherson colluded with the PA to replace the FF Plus in the coalition and used the PA to file false complaints against the FF Plus Speaker, continually undermining him.

These actions underscored Macpherson’s disregard for the coalition agreement and partners, behaving as if the DA solely governed Oudtshoorn.

In discussions, DA leadership maintained that no one would dictate their mayoral appointments. The FF Plus contends that their efforts aimed not at dictation but at appointing a competent mayor for the benefit of Oudtshoorn residents.

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