Stellenbosch’s former deputy executive mayor and local councilor, Mynard Slabbert, has cut all ties with the Democratic Alliance (DA).
It has been a turbulent political year for Slabbert who resigned from his position as deputy executive mayor party in June after he was asked to do so by the Democratic Alliance’s Federal Executive. On Tuesday 2 June, Jan de Villiers, the DA’s national spokesperson, said the local caucus had lost confidence in him.
“The Federal Executive considered the political confidence of his caucus as the only reason for his resignation, but other various allegations have all been referred to the Federal Legal Commission for further investigation,” De Villiers said. “The party will initiate a process to appoint a new deputy mayor as per our rules and procedures.”
ALSO READ: Slabbert steps down as deputy mayor of Stellenbosch
It was on Wednesday, 27 May, months before the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE) that the DA brought a vote of no confidence against the Ward 21 (Jamestown and Paradyskloof) councilor. In a statement issued by its Federal Executive on Thursday, 28 May, the party said it was giving Slabbert 48 hours to resign from his post as deputy mayor.
Slabbert had been deputy to mayor Jeremy Fasser since he took the reins from Gesie van Deventer two years ago. He was elected as ward councillor following a by-election on 8 March 2023, after the resignation of former councillor Rikus Badenhorst, who took up a position in Parliament in the National Council of Provinces.
Dr Rudi Buys replaced Slabbert after being appointed on Wednesday, 5 August during a special council meeting where he ran uncontested.
ALSO READ: Stellenbosch Municipality appoints new deputy mayor
The DA’s original statement stated the requested resignation did not influence Slabbert’s party membership or his role as councillor. However, it now seems Slabbert has made a clean break from the party.
In a statement released on Tuesday, 25 August, the Stellenbosch DA thanked Slabbert for his service as councilor for Ward 21 and as party member. “The DA will announce our new candidate for Ward 21 in due course. The DA is committed to continue delivering quality services for all the residents of this community and municipality,” the short statement concluded.
