GOOD Statement by Brett Herron
GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
24 May 2023
The GOOD Party has approached the Western Cape High Court to stop a by-election being called in Ward 27 in George, as there is no vacancy.
Duly elected Ward 27 Councillor Richard Hector never officially resigned from the council or from GOOD.
The facts are that Hector did consider resigning as a councillor due to feeling frustrated at systemic under-delivery in his community, and questioning whether he could better serve his people inside or outside the council.
Although they knew it would have no legal standing due to being addressed to a politician instead of the Municipal Manager, who is not politically aligned, opportunists in the DA-led municipality nonetheless manipulated Hector into submitting a resignation letter to the Speaker.
The next thing, Hector was being asked to parade himself for photographs with DA leader Helen Zille.
Realizing that he was being manipulated Hector immediately made it clear that he did not intend to resign, and GOOD duly informed all relevant parties including the IEC and municipality.
The Speaker, in a fit of political pique, went ahead nonetheless to declare a vacancy.
Instead of playing political games. the DA should question itself why increasing numbers of people of colour in George and other Western Cape municipalities have felt compelled to place their faith in GOOD councillors to represent them.
GOOD will continue to struggle for equal justice, equal levels of service and equal resources for disadvantaged and under-developed communities in George.
Media Enquiries:
Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
Cell: 0825183264
Email: bretth@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 0733671223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za