The City of Cape Town council chamber descended into disorder on Thursday, 28 March 2025, after ANC caucus leader Banele Majingo stunned fellow councillors by resigning from the ANC and joining the Democratic Alliance (DA).
ANC’s Banele Majingo dumps ANC for the DA in dramatic political twist
The announcement, made during a key council sitting, disrupted proceedings and led to the session being briefly adjourned.
Majingo had been scheduled to lead a motion of no confidence against the council’s speaker, Felicity Purchase, but his sudden defection to the DA left the opposition disorganised.
Speaker Purchase opened the meeting by noting that the councillor who had submitted the motion was not present to move it, and according to council rules, the motion could not proceed.
This unexpected development halted the planned Budget Speech by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, which was met with vocal resistance from councillors.
The chamber was filled with interjections, songs, and calls for the speaker to step down, creating a scene of chaos.
As the situation unfolded, the reason behind Majingo’s absence from the ANC benches became clear: he had formally resigned and taken up a position within the DA.
In his resignation statement, Majingo said:
“After careful consideration I’ve come to realise that my personal values and principles are now more aligned with those of the Democratic Alliance. I’m committed to their pursuit of clean governance and economic growth. I am increasingly impressed with their commitment to deliver for poor residents and the unemployed.”
Cape Town mayor reacts to Banele’s resignation
Reacting to the development, Hill-Lewis described the moment as “extraordinary.”
“Something extraordinary has just happened in Cape Town. It’s caused a little bit of pandemonium behind me but the leader of the ANC in Cape Town, Councillor Banele Majingo, has just resigned his seat and joined the DA. An extraordinary moment. I think it’s historic, I don’t think it’s ever happened before,” said Hill-Lewis.
The timing of Majingo’s defection has added a significant twist to the already contentious political environment within the council.
The GOOD Party, which had pledged to support the no-confidence motion against Speaker Purchase, has also raised concerns over the transparency of council operations.
GOOD has objected to the use of open ballots in votes concerning the Speaker and has criticised Purchase’s decision to move important council sessions, including budget discussions, to virtual platforms—arguing this limits accountability.
Majingo’s crossover to the DA adds to the ongoing tensions within the council and may shift political dynamics ahead of future votes.
Meanwhile, questions remain about the broader implications of his resignation on the ANC’s position within Cape Town’s municipal structures.
