VF PLUS PLEDGES TO PROTECT RATEPAYERS FROM MISMANAGEMENT AND MAYORAL MALPRACTICE 

Juan van Schalkwyk, VF+ Councillor and Speaker of Council; 

28 January 2025 

The VF Plus remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the interests of ratepayers and defending the integrity of municipalities against the threats posed by maladministration and mayoral misconduct, irrelevant of which party perpetrates the misconduct.  

As the dedicated watchdog for ratepayers in the Western Cape, the VF Plus in Swellendam intervened to prevent further DA mayoral mismanagement that could jeopardize the financial and operational stability of local governance. 

On January 20, 2025, as VF Plus Speaker in Swellendam, I received a motion of no confidence from the ANC, calling for the removal of DA Executive Mayor Francois du Rand. 

The motion was tabled during a Special Council meeting on the 27th of January 2025 and included grave allegations of misconduct and ongoing leadership failures. The motion underscores a disturbing pattern of undermining council resolutions, including actions that compromise the integrity of the current disciplinary process against the Municipal Manager, surrounding R40 million tender fraud. 

The Swellendam Municipality continues to face mounting challenges, including aging water infrastructure, insufficient electrical capacity, repeated environmental crises, and regular water restrictions—issues that point directly to mismanagement within a portfolio the mayor himself oversees. 

I supported the motion after careful consideration, guided by my oath as a councillor and my duty to oversee the proper administration of the municipality. There was no coalition betrayal; the VF Plus did not align with the ANC but instead voted in favour of a motion grounded in undeniable facts. 

It is critical to correct the record: Contrary to misleading DA claims, the ANC has not ‘taken over’ the Swellendam Municipality, nor has the VF Plus expelled the DA from the council. The council has resolved to elect a new mayor within the next seven days. The DA is encouraged to nominate a suitable candidate, who will prioritise stable governance and a collaborative approach for the benefit of the people. 

The VF Plus remains vigilant and will continue to fight for transparency, accountability, and in the best interest of ratepayers.