Langeberg Bulletin;  13 February 2025 

Swellendam – The long-awaited Special Council meeting to elect Swellendam’s Executive Mayor and address the aftermath of the former Speaker’s resignation was finally held today, Thursday, 13 February 2025, at the Council Chambers. 

Originally scheduled for Monday, 10 February, the meeting had to be postponed due to a lack of quorum, as all DA Councillors excused themselves from the meeting.  

Today’s meeting, like the previous attempt, saw SAPS officers present outside Council Chambers, including members of the Public Order Policing (POP) unit. Public attendance was notably lower than before, and while the gallery remained mostly quiet, some murmurs of disapproval arose during the mayoral election. 

Municipal Manager Anneleen Vorster opened the session with a warm welcome, extending special acknowledgment to Derick Burger, Speaker of the Cape Agulhas Municipality.  

The meeting began with the official induction of Jasper du Toit Loubser as the VF+ PR Councillor on Swellendam Council, as confirmed by correspondence from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Loubser replaced Jean van Schalkwyk after his dramatic resignation from Council and also from the VF+ party on 3 February 2023. 
 
Loubser signed the Councillors’ oath before proceedings continued. 

Election of Speaker 

Two nominations were received for the Speaker of Council: 

• JdT Loubser (VF+) 
• J Matthyssen (ANC) 

Loubser was elected Speaker with a narrow 6-5 vote and was appointed as a full-time Councillor per Council resolution. He then assumed the role of Speaker and presided over the election of the Executive Mayor. 

Election of Executive Mayor 

Two candidates were nominated: 

• HF du Rand (DA) 
• A Swart (ANC) 

Du Rand secured the position of Executive Mayor with a 6-5 vote and was also confirmed as a full-time Councillor. 

With no further business on the agenda, the meeting was promptly adjourned.