DA and PA battle for control in crucial George by-elections

The Garden Route town of George is facing crucial by-elections on Wednesday that could once again tip the balance of power in the fraught municipality.

Two wards are being contested in what could be a litmus test for the upcoming local government elections after former Democratic Alliance (DA) councillors defected to the Patriotic Alliance (PA) last year.

On Monday, DA leader John Steenhuisen engaged with residents and businesses, warning that the town could go the way of the neighbouring Knysna municipality if his party was not returned to power.

The town is currently governed by a coalition of the DA, FF Plus and the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP).

The George Municipality emerged as a hung council after the 2021 elections, giving the DA the most seats but not an outright majority.

The PA believes the municipality is theirs for the taking in the next polls, while Steenhuisen is hoping his party could retain two wards with new candidates standing for election on Wednesday.

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He said recent developments in the town, including strides in renewable energy, showed that George was a municipality on the up.

"Just up the road, a municipality like Knysna, the wrong leadership, the wrong people in place, no water and the town is falling to pieces and it’s degradation. And that is why the way you vote actually translates into the way you live."

On Tuesday, PA leader Gayton McKenzie also arrived in the town to shore up support for his candidates, one of whom hoped to retain his ward for his new party.

Both wards in the by-elections are being contested by the African National Congress (ANC), the DA, the PA and the Truth Party.

Another by-election is scheduled in the town in February.