Another coalition crumbles as Patriotic Alliance mayor and Speaker are deposed in Karoo Hoogland

Following the motion of no confidence, the DA’s Johan van der Colff was elected mayor, which elicited congratulations from DA provincial leader Harold McGluwa.

“I have full confidence in Johan, who has years of experience in local government, to ensure stability within the institution and to enforce the service delivery for all residents in the municipality,” he said.

The PA’s mayor, Anthony Mietas, and Speaker Maria Chadow were sworn in following the October provincial election. After the votes were counted, the ANC had five councillors, the DA three, the PA two and the FF+ one. The ANC formed a coalition with the PA, giving it control of the municipality’s main two seats.

Karoo Hoogland is an administrative area in the Namakwa District of the Northern Cape. Taking control of this municipality after coalition negotiations was hailed by PA president Gayton McKenzie as the largest power-sharing agreement in the party’s history. 

McKenzie told PA supporters on Facebook that the power-sharing agreement with the ANC allowed the PA to run the municipality. 

However, on Thursday, McKenzie claimed: “The DA, with the help of the ANC, replaced our mayor and Speaker in Karoo Hoogland. We are not crying, we are not cursing, we are not complaining because each and every party has a right to decide with whom they will vote or assist.”