Party divisions surface after by-election and mayoral removal
Knysna's Democratic Alliance (DA) caucus has been thrust into the spotlight as senior party figures exchanged public criticism following a contentious move to remove former mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies. The dispute centres on actions by ward councillor Peter Myers and Mayor Mark Willemse, which DA Western Cape chairperson Anton Bredell said were taken contrary to the party’s wishes.
The sequence of events outlined by party sources began with a by-election in Ward 5 that delivered a significant decline in support for the DA, and the subsequent removal of Bouw-Spies from the mayoral office. Myers and Willemse reportedly supported an African National Congress (ANC) motion to effect the removal, a decision that triggered sharp reactions within the local DA structures and among provincial leadership.
“No one from the DA Western Cape provincial leadership has given Peter Myers or Mark Willemse the permission to act as they have done thus far,”
Bredell is quoted as saying that Willemse was acting against the wishes of the party, and alleged the mayor was prioritising his coalition relationships and personal position over the interests of the broader Knysna community. Bredell pointed to Willemse’s appointment of Lindile Petuna as the human settlements manager for Knysna Municipality as evidence of those priorities.
Allegations, investigations and party procedure
DA constituency head Dion George described the Ward 5 by-election outcome as “particularly brutal” and blamed a “toxic narrative” that rehashed allegations against Bouw-Spies. George said those allegations had been driven by people making “vicious and unsubstantiated” claims and that they formed the basis for the votes that removed Bouw-Spies.
According to the DA’s Federal Legal Commission, the corruption allegations against Bouw-Spies were found to be without substance, and a forensic report could not withstand close scrutiny, George said. He argued Myers and Willemse had voted on the strength of allegations that had not been properly tested or dealt with through internal party procedures.
Myers had been suspended from his duties for a month by local government MEC Anton Bredell but returned to active duty at the weekend, the party’s account says. The suspension and return appear to have added another layer to an already fraught local situation.
- Key actors: Peter Myers (ward councillor), Mark Willemse (mayor), Eleanore Bouw-Spies (former mayor), Anton Bredell (DA Western Cape chair), Dion George (DA constituency head).
- Turning points: Ward 5 by-election, vote to remove Bouw-Spies, appointment of Lindile Petuna as human settlements manager.
- Allegations: Claims of corruption against Bouw-Spies were investigated by the DA’s Federal Legal Commission and said to be unsubstantiated.
Local implications and the path ahead
The public nature of the dispute raises questions about coalition stability and governance in Knysna. Bredell’s criticism frames the actions of Myers and Willemse as a breach of party discipline, while George’s remarks highlight concerns that internal due process was bypassed. For residents, the dispute could have practical consequences if it affects the municipality’s ability to deliver services or undermines confidence in local leadership.
| Issue | Status according to DA sources |
|---|---|
| Removal of mayor | Supported by Myers and Willemse; described as irregular by some DA members |
| Allegations of corruption | Found to be without substance by the DA’s Federal Legal Commission |
| Ward 5 by-election | Resulted in a major decline in DA support |
Neither the ANC nor Myers, Willemse or Bouw-Spies have publicly expanded on the sequence of events in the statements cited by DA provincial leadership. The party leadership’s public admonition suggests the conflict will remain a feature of Knysna politics in the near term, with implications for coalition arrangements and local governance.
As the DA works through internal disciplinary and procedural channels, Knysna residents will be watching whether those processes restore cohesion within the caucus or deepen existing fractures. The outcome will influence not only the future of individual councillors but also the municipality’s ability to pursue a consistent service and development agenda.
