Chair, the suspension of ANC's Councillor, Billy Claassen, due to findings of misconduct as a public representative in the Berg River Council, led to a by-elections in Ward 5 on 16 January 2019. It was contested in six rural Village Development Societies, VDS, by the ACDP, the AIC, the EFF and the ANC.
We are delighted that the DA emerged victorious by taking Ward 5 from the ANC. [Applause.] This represents an overwhelming thumbs-up by the people of Berg River for quality services and good governance, as all seven wards are now represented by the DA [Applause.]
We also welcome the resignation of two further ANC public representatives in the Berg River Council. Clearly, it is not just voters leaving the ANC in droves. The DA is grateful for the support of the residents of Ward 5 and their move away from the ANC to the DA, is a clear cut acknowledgement of DA-led action-driven governance.
The public representatives who serve only themselves should be roundly rejected and replaced, not just in person, but as in this case, by losing a seat to the DA.