DA won’t tolerate lawless mayor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape is calling for the removal of the Mayor of Kareeberg local municipality, Norman Van Wyk, who physically assaulted DA councillor, George Van Louw, last week.

At a meeting to discuss non-functional ward committees in wards 1 and 3, for which Van Louw is the ward councillor, Van Wyk blatantly shot down Van Louw’s inputs but allowed other councillors to participate in the discussion. A quarrel then erupted between the mayor and Van Louw, which saw Van Wyk moving out from behind his desk to physically assault van Louw, bruising his neck, before other councillors came to his aide.

Van Wyk then arrogantly challenged Van Louw to call on police officials because he blatantly refuses to address the issues pertaining to the ward committee in the DA ward. Van Louw did open a charge of assault and received a case number (number 105/8/2018).

This isn’t the first time that Van Wyk has come under the spotlight for his violent behaviour. Last year, Van Wyk was involved in a racially motivated attack on social media

Van Wyk couldn’t care less about the rules and regulations required in running a municipality and considers himself a law unto himself. He also arrogant and unwilling to resolve matters in a professional manner in the workplace.

The DA will write to COGHSTA MEC, Bentley Vass, to report this matter. We want Van Wyk removed and are further considering tabling a motion of no confidence against him.

We will not tolerate thuggish behaviour in municipalities, that are meant to serve the people, not bully the opposition.

Only change under a DA-led government will ensure that we have upstanding citizens, who respect the rights of all individuals, in positions of power.