Swellendam’s Democratic Alliance (DA) lost the chairmanship of its Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) to the African National Congress (ANC) on January 30 after the Freedom Front’s Juan van Schalkwyk voted against a joint coalition decision.
This ensured that Railton councillor Julian Matthysen now chairs the committee which provides oversight over the executive functionaries of council as well as the implementation of good governance practice in the municipality.
A turbulent 2023
Early in 2023 the political landscape in Swellendam Municipality changed drastically when three DA Councillors were fired by the party. This forced a bi-election in Barrydale which was won by the ANC.
In anticipation of a defeat the then ruling DA went into coalition with the Freedom Front and Van Schalkwyk was promoted to Speaker of the municipality.
Later in that year Swellendam residents were subjected to violent service delivery protests that resulted in millions of rands in damage to public and private property.
It was the right move
Juan van Schalkwyk
“As Speaker I have an additional responsibility over executive oversight and the MPAC is a section 79 Committee of Council and is usually chaired by the opposition,” Van Schalkwyk told News62.
“Rightfully so, as how can the governing party objectively oversee itself.”
“That risks a conflict of interest and always leaves doubt over the objectivity of such an important Committee focused on oversight relating to the annual financial statements, budget and performance management, and unauthorised, irregular and or fruitless and wasteful expenditure etc.”
The DA had elected a new MPAC chair in April 2023, which was a brand new councillor.
“Their accusations and motives are therefore questionable, considering the DA (including the mayor Francois du Rand and Cllr Elna Lambrecht and Cllr Frans Kees) voted to remove the VF Plus as the MPAC chair in 2022 and replace the VF with the same ANC councillor (Matthysen), citing a need for a councillor with more experience.
“It was a paid position back then, too. So they are disingenuous and selective in their media, as usual.”
Van Schalkwyk said that the MPAC had been ineffective since April 2023. He claimed that it hosted too few meetings and that no investigations or site visits were conducted.
“In the interest of oversight (without which we are left with just assumed trust in the effectiveness and integrity of the municipality), this was the right move.”
“This is how it works in other municipalities, including the City of Cape Town, where the terms of reference state the MPAC chair must be held by the opposition.”
ANC Chief Wip Amanda Swart commended Van Schalkwyk for what he had done.
“Van Schalkwyk acted in the best interest of the community at large as it is never good when the player is also the referee.”
“We know that councillor Matthysen has the experience to ensure that good governance will become a priority.”
