The mayoral committee in Knysna has been reshuffled again after the dramatic resignation of the Patriotic Alliance’s Waleed Grootboom, who stepped down as the political head of community services.
Grootboom left the mayoral committee after his party withdrew from the coalition running the Knysna municipality.
He remains a PA councillor while the coalition withdrawal was made in line with a broader move by the party to withdraw from all coalition arrangements with the DA in the Western Cape.
His exit from the mayoral committee sees DA councillor Elmarie Maxim returning to her post as the political head of community services.
“It is our pleasure to announce the appointment of Maxim as member of the mayoral committee,” mayor Mayor Levael said.
“Maxim takes over the reins as chair of the community services portfolio, after the resignation of Grootboom last month.
“We wish Maxim all the best and look forward to her positive and constructive contributions in her new portfolio,” he said.
The loss of the two PA seats in Knysna has raised questions about the sustainability of the DA-led coalition.
The DA has eight seats in the council, the ANC has seven, the Knysna Independent Movement two, and the EFF and Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners (which votes with the ANC) one each.
The DA-led coalition has a combined 10 seats in the council with the Knysna Independent Movement, but the coalition is supported intermittently by the EFF.
ANC acting chief whip Thando Matika welcomed the change.
“We were told and there is nothing that we can do about it because we are not in power.”
He said the ANC was in talks with other parties to try form a new coalition.
“Nothing has come of it yet, but talks are continuing. The council remains in the balance with the EFF having the kingmaker status.
“They have not decided on a coalition and therefore council hangs in the balance,” he said.
Grootboom said he had ample respect for Maxim.
“We are here to empower our women regardless [and] I know Maxim will do her best in this portfolio to create wonders in Knysna,” Grootboom said.
Maxim said she had “mixed emotions” about the post.
“Community service has always been my passion and I have been involved in various community projects long before council and being the chair of community services.”
She said there was a lot of work to be done.
“This directorate is one of the municipality’s biggest service delivery departments, and I will endeavour to ensure that the machinery functions to the best of my ability with the resources available at our disposal,” she said.
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