George Municipality has finally found respite from months of political turbulence with the signing of a comprehensive Multi-Party Coalition Agreement that promises stability for the remainder of the current term. The agreement, announced today, brings together the Democratic Alliance, (DA) Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), and African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) in a renewed partnership that has already seen significant leadership changes take effect.
The new coalition arrangement comes after a particularly challenging period for the municipality, which has been grappling with political instability since late 2024. The crisis reached its peak in December when then the then deputy Mayor Raybin Figland resigned amid misconduct allegations and a looming motion of no confidence led by the GOOD Party. Figland’s resignation, effective 31 January 2025, left a significant gap in the municipal leadership structure just as the DA-led coalition was already operating without a clear majority.
Adding to the political uncertainty, two DA ward councillors defected to the Patriotic Alliance earlier this year, reducing the DA’s council representation to just 25 seats out of 55. Combined with the ACDP’s single seat, the governing coalition held only 26 seats, falling short of the majority needed for decisive governance. This precarious position necessitated ongoing negotiations with additional parties to secure quorum for council decisions.
The new agreement addresses these challenges head-on through a carefully negotiated redistribution of executive positions. In a significant development, Browen Johnson, who previously served as Deputy Mayor, has been elevated to the position of Executive Mayor. This move replaces Jacqui Von Brandis, who had led the municipality through much of 2024 and into early 2025 before stepping down from the mayoral role.
Von Brandis has not departed municipal leadership entirely, however. Under the new arrangement, she will transition to the crucial role of Chief Whip of Council, a position that will see her responsible for ensuring party discipline and maintaining oversight within the coalition government. This appointment signals the coalition’s commitment to continuity while acknowledging the need for fresh leadership at the executive level.
The FF Plus has secured substantial representation in the new coalition. The party will hold the Deputy Mayor position, along with the critical MAYCO Planning portfolio and the chair of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee.
The ACDP, while holding fewer council seats, has been allocated the MAYCO Corporate Services portfolio, ensuring their participation in the coalition’s decision-making processes. This distribution of responsibilities appears designed to create a balanced leadership structure that acknowledges each party’s contribution to the coalition while maintaining clear accountability lines.
DA Western Cape leader Tertius SImmers and DA East Region chairperson Venolea Fortuin stated that this agreement applies specifically to George Municipality and commits all parties to transparent, values-driven governance for the remainder of the 2021-2026 council term. This limitation suggests an understanding that local coalitions must be tailored to specific municipal circumstances rather than following broader provincial or national party alignments.
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