GOOD Statement by Brett Herron,
GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
20 June 2023
GOOD’s Witzenberg Councillor Katriena Robyn has today opened a case (CAS 59/06/2023) of bribery against the DA-Mayor, Hennie Smit, following attempts to buy her vote in the Council meeting on Wednesday.
Since the 2021 local government elections, GOOD has been part of the DA-led coalition in Witzenberg where we supported the DA Mayor and DA Speaker, and where we have served as the Deputy Mayor.
Cllr Robyn filled our vacant Council seat after former GOOD Councillor Felicity Klazen, who served as Witzenberg Deputy Mayor, was expelled from GOOD following an internal disciplinary process.
Despite GOOD doing the right thing, and removing Klazen for conduct unbecoming a member and certainly unbecoming a Deputy Mayor, the DA unilaterally broke the coalition.
They removed GOOD from the coalition, proposed to elect a Councillor from the Witzenberg Aksie party and expected GOOD to just follow their lead. GOOD did not believe this was in the best interest of the community, nor was it in line with our coalition agreement.
Now the DA Mayor, fearing another failed attempt to elect their preferred candidate, has approached the GOOD councillor and offered her “thousands” to vote with them.
Coalitions are a natural consequence of a multi-party democratic system, but they don’t work without trust, compromise and good faith between the coalition partners.
Unfortunately, the DA is proving that it’s an unreliable and untrustworthy coalition partner, even when their actions impact negatively on the community they promised to serve.
South Africa desperately needs stable municipalities, rooted in respect for democracy and service delivery, run by stable and functional coalitions where required.
Robyn is an excellent candidate for leadership in Witzenberg. She has previously served as a Mayoral Committee Member, a Deputy Mayor and the Executive Mayor.
It is astounding that the DA does not respect the great lengths we have gone to ensure a credible, respectable candidate for Deputy Mayor following the circumstances we and the Council have had to deal with over the past year.
Those who subscribe to GOOD values will never be bought by the DA or anyone else flashing cash around for votes.
We commend Robyn on her principled stance and for laying the criminal charges. We call on SAPS to investigate this speedily.
The truth about the DA and its methods are becoming clearer every day.
Media Enquiries:
Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
Cell: 082 518 3264
Email: bretth@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 073 367 1223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za