Former CoCT city council opposition leader Majingo ditches ANC for DA
Majingo’s resignation has overshadowed Thursday’s delivery of the city’s budget for 2025/26 by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, as proceedings descended into chaos and had to be adjourned for tensions to simmer down.
FILE: A Democratic Alliance flag. Picture: RODGER BOSCH/AFP
CAPE TOWN - In an unprecedented move, the former leader of the opposition in the Cape Town city council, Banele Majingo, has abandoned the African National Congress (ANC) to join the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Majingo’s resignation has overshadowed Thursday’s delivery of the city’s budget for 2025/26 by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, as proceedings descended into chaos and had to be adjourned for tensions to simmer down.
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Majingo had called for a motion of no confidence in Speaker Felicity Purchase to be tabled on Thursday.
But absent from proceedings this morning, Purchase said in terms of the house rules, the motion could not be moved.
Members of the ANC and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) were outraged.
After the recess, Hill-Lewis took to the podium to congratulate Majingo for joining his party.
Quoting from Majingo’s resignation statement, Hill-Lewis further outraged opposition party councillors who wanted the motion against Purchase to proceed.
“This is the kicker. I’m increasingly impressed by their commitments to deliver for poor residents and the unemployed.”
Hill-Lewis has now started delivering his budget address.