FF Plus still committed to coalition agreements with DA in WC

CAPE TOWN - The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) says it remains committed to its coalition agreements with the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape's municipal councils.

This is despite a recent fallout that’s led to the collapse of their partnership in two of the 11 councils they’ve been governing together since the 2021 local government elections.

On Wednesday, the party’s Western Cape leader Corne Mulder described the impasse with the DA as serious, but said he's hopeful recent events would not impact other councils.
 
The FF Plus has been one of the DA’s oldest coalition partners - dating back to the formation of a coalition to run the city of Cape Town in 2006.

But disagreements over the passing of municipal budgets, and the DA’s choice of mayor in Oudtshoorn have led to the end of their partnership there - and subsequently the Langeberg Municipality as well as the removal of the FF Plus from executive positions.

According to Mulder, this doesn’t spell the end of coalitions in nine other co-governed municipalities.

"We want to be seen as a serious player who wants to be seen as taking our commitments very seriously, and we will continue to serve our communities and stick to our coalition agreements. But we do not have control if the DA finds flimsy, nonsense reasons to terminate these things and then blame us for other stuff."

Last week, the DA’s Western Cape leader Tertuis Simmers said his party’s hand was forced in terminating the Langeberg agreement amid reports the FF Plus was conspiring with the African National Congress to remove its mayor.