Knysna Council in Chaos
The Garden Route town of Knysna is stuck without a mayor or a mayoral committee after a council meeting failed to reach the needed quorum. The collapse leaves the municipality unable to make executive decisions until a new mayor is elected.
Why the Meeting Fell Apart
On Wednesday the council convened to elect a successor to former mayor Thando Matika. For the meeting to proceed, at least 11 of the 17 sitting councillors had to be present. Only nine showed up, two short of the required number, so the speaker, Mark Willemse of the Knysna Independent Movement, had to adjourn the session.
Who Was Missing
- DA councillor Hilton Stroebel, EFF’s Neil Louw, and Patriotic Alliance’s Richard Kakora asked for leave, citing illness.
- ANC councillors Kay Andrews, Russel Arends, and Pindile Petros, plus PA’s Beauty Charlie, were absent without permission.
- Deputy mayor Morton Gericke (PBI) sent apologies but did not attend.
Speaker Willemse noted that several councillors had sent apologies, which is against the rules of order, and suggested the absence was deliberate to sabotage the meeting.
Reactions from Parties
- SACP provincial secretary Benson Ngqentsu blamed the ANC, accusing it of purging communist allies and destabilising local government. He compared the expulsions to historic anti‑communist purges that weakened unions.
- ANC regional spokesperson James Sijama said the party respects Matika’s right to run for another party but stressed that his candidacy meant he could no longer represent the ANC in council.
- DA caucus chair Jason White asked the acting municipal manager for clarification on when the ANC’s notice was received, whether the IEC was informed, and what would happen to the vacant seats.
What Happens Next
Without a mayor, the mayoral committee (mayco) cannot function, meaning no councillor can hold an executive portfolio. Speaker Willemse will inform the provincial local‑government MEC about the breakdown. Until a new mayor is elected and a fresh mayco appointed, Knysna will remain without formal executive leadership.
Conclusion
Knysna’s political gridlock shows how party disputes can paralyze everyday governance. The town now waits for councillors to resolve their differences, attend meetings, and elect a new mayor so that essential services and decision‑making can resume. Until then, residents face uncertainty about who is in charge of their municipality.
