PA backs ActionSA for Laingsburg mayor, but they're 2 seats short

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) will back ActionSA's candidate for mayor of Laingsburg, the first deal to come out of talks between the two parties since the 4 November election. But it doesn't give them control of the council yet: together they hold 4 of the 10 seats, and 6 are needed for a majority (IOL).

ActionSA's mayoral candidate is Beverley Vorster (eNCA).

How many seats does each party have in Laingsburg?

Source: IEC results as reported by IOL and SABC News. ActionSA got 1,776 votes, the DA 1,693 and the ANC 1,636 (IOL).

Why is the deal still two seats short?

Because ActionSA's 3 seats plus the PA's 1 make 4, and the council needs 6 to elect a mayor and pass decisions with a majority. SABC News reports that 2 more seats are needed from other parties for the pact to be cemented (SABC News).

On paper, these combinations reach 6 seats:

Reported's calculation from the seat figures above. A combination adding up doesn't mean those parties have agreed to work together.

Why did the PA pick ActionSA?

PA spokesperson Steve Motale said the decision followed talks between the parties on Wednesday, 11 November, about councils where both have seats. "We know from experience that we can trust the word of Herman Mashaba, so we will support him in Laingsburg," he said (IOL).

The PA said its councillor would push for reliable water and electricity, safer streets, jobs for local people and an end to the neglect of rural Karoo towns (eNCA).

Will there be more PA and ActionSA deals?

The parties say so. Motale said talks are continuing in other municipalities where both have councillors, and the PA said further agreements would be announced as they are concluded (IOL).

The PA's national executive has said its first preference is to extend the government of national unity model to hung councils. It says it has representation in nearly 80 councils (IOL).

When will Laingsburg elect its mayor?

At the council's first meeting. The law says a new council's first meeting must be held within 14 days of it being declared elected, and that is where councillors elect the speaker and mayor (IOL). CoGTA says coalition talks must not delay the constitution of councils (South African Government).