Video
GARDEN ROUTE NEWS & VIDEO - Memory Booysen, who served as district mayor for the previous term, has again been selected as the political leader at the Garden Route District Municipality.
Booysen received 18 votes against the opposition's mayoral nominee, Virgill Gericke, who secured 15 votes.
Absent from today's proceedings are two Icosa councillors of Kannaland Municipality, Hyrin Ruiters (directly elected) and Kaynal Adams (seconded). Since a vote has to be in secret, they cannot participate in the election. It is unclear whether they have formally asked for leave of absence.
The situation was discussed in council. Their votes could have added two more to the opposition's figure of 15.
VIDEO: Memory Booysen elected as GRDM mayor:
Memory Booysen is the new GRDM mayor. Photos: Michelle Pienaar
Van Niekerk new district deputy mayor
Gert van Niekerk of the FF Plus is the new Deputy Mayor of the district council. He received a surprising number of 19 votes, and the opposition's nominee, Richard Hector, secured 14 votes.
Because of the secret voting, attendees are wondering who from the opposition had supported Van Niekerk.
VIDEO: Van Niekerk deputy mayor of Garden Route District Municipality
New Deputy Mayor Gert van Niekerk and Mayor Memory Booysen.
The new chief whip of the GRDM is Petru Terblanche.
Chief Whip of Council Petru Terblanche
Speaker Georlene Wolmarans, Mayor Memory Booysen, Deputy Mayor Gert van Niekerk and DA constituency head of the Garden Route Tertuis Simmers.
Ending the ceremony on a high note (video by Michelle Pienaar):
PREVIOUS ARTICLES:
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
