Banele Majingo says his 'values & principles' more aligned with DA after switch from ANC

CAPE TOWN - In a shock move, the African National Congress (ANC) has lost their leader in the Cape Town city council as Banele Majingo on Thursday jumped ship to join the blue machine.

An ANC councillor for more than a decade, he had been leading the opposition caucus in the council for almost three years.

In a resignation video, Majingo said he had taken the decision with a heavy heart, but the time had come for him to serve the nation through another party.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis' budget speech was thrown into disarray by Majingo's resignation on Thursday morning, as the council first had to grapple with the fallout from his defection.

A month ago, a multi-party caucus led by the ANC filed a notice to table a no-confidence vote in Speaker Felicity Purchase.

They accused her of being biased and of using bullying tactics to silence them.

But on Thursday, Majingo, who was set to move the motion, was not present in the chamber.

Opposition parties insisted the motion should proceed nevertheless, despite council rules requiring the councillor who files the motion to present it to the House.

Behind the scenes, Majingo was already filming a video message in front of a Democratic Alliance (DA) backdrop, thanking the ANC for the opportunity to serve.

"After careful consideration, I have come to realise that my personal values and principles are now more aligned with those of the Democratic Alliance."