DA announces mayoral candidates for 9 Western Cape municipalities

The full list of mayoral candidates for all Western Cape municipalities, including major centres like Cape Town, is expected to be finalised in due course.

WESTERN CAPE NEWS - The DA in the Western Cape today announced its first group of mayoral candidates for the 2026 local government elections.

The candidates named are:

Beaufort West: Gina DuimpiesCape Winelands District: Antoinette SteynCentral Karoo District: October HaarvoorHessequa: Gerald BoezakKannaland: Joslyn JohnsonKnysna: Levael DavisLaingsburg: Aletta TheronOverberg District: Dr Annelie Rabie

The announcement comes amid ongoing concerns about municipal performance in parts of the province and nationally.

Recent parliamentary replies have highlighted that several Western Cape municipalities have required provincial intervention under Section 139 of the Constitution due to financial distress, including failures to meet basic obligations such as paying creditors.

Beaufort West, Kannaland, and Theewaterskloof are among those that have been placed under financial administration or recovery processes in recent years.

Provincial support has included emergency grants and funding for infrastructure resilience.

For example, Beaufort West has received more than R14.3 million since 2021 for stabilisation efforts, including generators and water projects.

Kannaland has cost the province over R10.1 million, with its Financial Recovery Plan implemented in September 2025 after significant delays linked to political instability.

Theewaterskloof has required over R5.4 million in support since late 2024.

These interventions and associated costs - drawn from provincial resources - have been cited as funds that could otherwise support direct service improvements like road repairs, water maintenance and basic infrastructure for residents.

Dave Bryant, the DA's Western Cape spokesperson on local government, described Section 139 interventions as a consequence of governance and political failures, emphasising the financial burden they impose. He said such crises drain public resources and undermine trust in local administration.

Bryant argues that experienced leadership and stable councils are essential to avoid recurring emergencies and to prioritise financial sustainability and service delivery ahead of the 2026 elections.

The full list of mayoral candidates for all Western Cape municipalities, including major centres like Cape Town, is expected to be finalised in due course.