Democratic Alliance mayor Lincoln de Bruyn has been removed from office once again, adding yet another critical change in political leadership of the Theewaterskloof Municipality (TWK).
On Wednesday 30 September, the ANC, Patriotic Alliance and EFF joined forces to remove De Bruyn from office.
De Bruyn’s removal marks the second time that he has been removed from office. He previously served as TWK mayor from 14 August 2024 before a motion of no confidence was filed against him just two days later.
The removal comes less than two weeks after Hermanus Times examined TWK’s turbulent experience with coalition government since the 2021 local election.
ALSO READ: Theewaterskloof: Can coalition politics deliver stable local government?
Since then, the municipality has had multiple political realignments, three mayors, a court battle and a financial intervention.
In a statement issued on Thursday morning, DA Western Cape leader Tertuis Simmers said the removal of De Bruyn was “yet another example of the instability being inflicted on the [TWK] municipality by the ANC, PA and EFF”.
“The ANC and PA once again joined forces to remove Mayor De Bruyn,” Simmers said.
He accused the parties of prioritising political positions over service delivery. He said that residents needed a municipality focused on reliable services and economic opportunities.
However, the political instability at TWK has been a recurring feature since 2021.
Political turmoil and constant instability
In 2021, the DA won 11 of the municipality’s 27 council seats in that year’s election, while the ANC won eight and GOOD three.
With 14 seats required for a majority, governing the municipality required coalitions.
The first post-election coalition comprised of the ANC, PA, GOOD and EFF.
PA councillor Karel Papier became mayor. Following his death in 2023, PA councillor Mary Liebenberg was elected mayor.
A further realignment in 2024 saw GOOD move into an alliance with the DA and Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party. De Bruyn subsequently became mayor.
However, his tenure was short-lived. He was removed through a motion of no confidence in September 2024. Thereafter, FF Plus councillor Theunis “Tienie” Zimmerman became mayor.
Subsequently, the Western Cape High Court found the process used in De Bruyn’s removal was unlawful. Thus, both his removal and Zimmerman’s appointment were invalidated.
A timeline of key political turning points
1. November 2021: loss of DA majority – The DA went from 14 seats and a majority to 11. From this point, no party could govern alone. Coalition agreements thus essential.
2. Then mayor, Papier dies: 2023 – Papier died on 27 August 2023. This became the first major leadership change not caused by a political vote. Liebenberg elected mayor.
3. August-September 2024: The biggest political shake-up – GOOD switched from the ANC/PA arrangement to the DA/SRWP side. De Bruyn became mayor, but was removed within weeks and Zimmerman took over.
4. The courts reversed the political decision – The De Bruyn/Zimmerman dispute moved beyond council politics and into the courts. The High Court subsequently invalidated the decisions removing De Bruyn and installing Zimmerman.
5. 2024–’26: political instability overlaps with financial crisis – TWK is placed under financial administration in November 2024 and subsequently received a Financial Recovery Plan.
6. September 2026: De Bruyn removed again – The latest chapter. DA’s 1 October statement frames the removal as another ANC/PA political realignment.
The pattern in one glance
2021 election → DA loses majority → ANC/PA/GOOD/EFF coalition → Papier → Papier dies → Liebenberg → GOOD switches sides → De Bruyn → De Bruyn removed → Zimmerman → court overturns removal → De Bruyn reinstated → financial administration → Financial Recovery Plan → De Bruyn removed again in September 2026.
Strained financial and administrative environment
The latest removal comes against a backdrop of an already strained financial and administrative environment.
In November 2024, Theewaterskloof was placed under financial administration.
A Financial Recovery Plan was subsequently approved by the Western Cape Government after the municipality’s financial position deteriorated sharply from early 2023.
ALSO READ: The Auditor-General’s report on local government: TWK in severe financial distress
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ALSO READ: Court slams TWK Finance Chief for wasting court time as municipality crumbles
The municipality has also faced scrutiny over service delivery, water security and governance.
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In August, the Western Cape Government said it was continuing to support TWK through financial interventions, infrastructure investment and institutional support.
More recently, President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered an investigation by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) into various allegations. These include maladministration, corruption and irregular expenditure relating to the procurement of 14 backup generators for boreholes and pump stations.
ALSO READ: Ramaphosa authorised SIU to investigate Theewaterskloof Municipality
‘TWK residents cannot afford political turmoil’
Simmers said De Bruyn and municipal teams had focused on stabilising the municipality’s finances under the Financial Recovery Plan while maintaining essential services.
He also pointed to the restoration of the damaged Myddleton footbridge by municipal teams as an example of what he described as practical and cost-conscious infrastructure work. “Theewaterskoof residents cannot afford political turmoil,” said Simmers.
