Theewaterskloof (TWK) Municipality’s council has reversed its decision to remove executive mayor Lincoln de Bruyn following a formal demand by the Democratic Alliance (DA). The party announced on Friday 9 October.
The council’s reversal follows a legal demand from the DA, marking yet another chapter in the municipality’s ongoing coalition disputes as it implements a financial recovery plan.
On Thursday 1 October, council voted to rescind the removal and restore De Bruyn to office, according to Matthew Sims, DA provincial communications manager. The decision avoids the prospect of further High Court proceedings.
Desribed as a victory for residents, the party argued that stable leadership is necessary while the municipality looks to address its financial and service-delivery challenges.
However, the latest council decision has not been independently confirmed by a separate municipal statement.
The dispute is the latest development in years of political instability at the municipality. Shifting coalitions haverepeatedly changed the balance of power in council.
“What we witnessed was another demonstration of political instability within the TWK council,” said Derick Appel, a former Speaker of the TWK council. “The legality and procedural correctness of the rescission must also be scrutinised. A council decision being reversed does not, by itself, prove that a party won a legal battle.”
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A history of coalitions
Since the November 2021 local government elections, TWK has experienced repeated changes in political leadership. Competing parties have been formed thus reshaping coalitions to secure control of the council.
ACCORD Coalitions Tracker notes how the municipality’s leadership changed hands several times after the 2021 elections. The political realignments culminated in De Bruyn’s appointment as executive mayor in August 2024; following a coalition arrangement involving the DA, GOOD and the Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party. However, his tenure was interrupted less than three weeks later.
He was replaced by Theunis Zimmerman who was elected on 2 September 2024. This decision was successfully challenge by the DA in court who argued that council had failed to follow the required procedures.
The latest dispute represents another challenge to De Bruyn’s position, although the circumstances and legal process surrounding the October 2026 reversal differ fom those of the 2024 case.
Stability will be measured by delivery
The DA argues that the latest council reversal will allow De Bruyn to continue leading the muncipality while it implements its recovery plan.
However, Appel said that the back-and-forth mayoral seat decisions raise “legitimate quesions about the consistency of the coalition and the political circumstances behind these decisions”.
In its statement, the DA accused the ANC, Patriotic Alliance (PA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) of attempting to destabilise the municipality. Those characterisations reflect the DA’s political position and have not been independently established. The broader question facing Theewaterskloof, however, extends beyond which party holds the mayor’s office.
“The DA cannot speak about chaos while ignoring the instability within its own coalition with GOOD. It is like a married couple constantly fighting but refusing to separate because it suits their own interests.
“Meanwhile, the municipality and its residents are left to deal with the consequences,” Appel said.
For residents, the significance of the latest reversal will depend on whether it provides the conditions for sustained improvements in municipal administration and service delivery.
Appel added that the residents of TWK deserve stability, accountability and service delivery. “Not an ongoing political tug-of-war.”
The DA said it would continue to use legal channels to challenge decisions it considers unlawful. De Bruyn is expected to lead the party into the upcoming local government elections.
