DA federal leader and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has warned party supporters against what he called “chaos" associated with coalition governments, which have brought instability across the province ahead of the November 4 local government elections.
Addressing hundreds of supporters at the party's final Western Cape campaign rally in Belhar on Saturday, Hill-Lewis urged supporters to defend the party’s record in government, while accusing the ANC, Patriotic Alliance (PA), GOOD, and EFF of threatening progress in municipalities.
“Already, in many towns in this province, we have seen the chaos that comes with coalition governments. And the people have paid the price for that chaos,” he said.
“Our people cannot afford to have parties of chaos like the PA, ANC, GOOD and EFF in government. On 4 November, we need every DA voter to turn out, and we need you to make sure your family and friends vote for the DA.”
Hill-Lewis said the DA was the party best positioned to maintain progress in municipalities it governs. “We must never become complacent about progress. We must protect the progress we have made, and we must take every municipality where we govern forward.”
Supporters at the rally pointed to service delivery and accessibility as reasons for their support for the party.
Brenda Matiwana, 57, from Strand, said she left the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) for the DA because it was doing more for their community.
“The DA comes and helps us. They are doing a better job, and we can see their work in our communities,” she said.
Iris Murray, 74, from Beaufort West, said the party was always ready to help.
“If you have a problem, you can speak to them, and they assist you. They work hard.”
Murray said she remained loyal to the DA despite her two daughters supporting the PA.
“Both my daughters are PA members, but I tell them I will die in the DA,” she said. But speaking outside the rally, Richard Kruger from Elsies River said he would not vote for the DA.
“Our people are being influenced and pushed around by the DA propaganda, but nothing has changed for us.
“Look at what is happening in our coloured communities. Do you know how many people have died in Hanover Park this month? What are they doing about that?”
Hill-Lewis, in his address, listed crime and safety among the party’s priorities.
“Yet far too many communities across this province live with the consequences of violent crime and gangsterism. National SAPS under the ANC has failed us. But the DA will not accept that failure.”
He pointed to the City of Cape Town's investment in metro policing, including its SWAT and drone unit, and said the party would continue to push for greater investigative powers for municipal officers.
“We will stop at nothing to make our towns and cities safer for everyone. Because where the ANC led SAPS fails, the DA will deliver.”