George ANC councillor jumps ship to join the DA

A significant political shift occurred in George as ward councillor Jarques Esau announced his resignation from the ANC to join the DA.

Esau, who served as Ward 25 councillor in the George municipality since 2017, has left Cyril Ramaphosa’s party after being a member since the age of 16.

Western Cape DA leader Tertius Simmers confirmed the move yesterday morning, saying  Esau’s decision comes amid what he viewed as a continued decline within the ANC and concerns about its "ability to govern effectively".

"He [Esau] believes the DA is the only credible vehicle to deliver clean governance, restore public trust, and accelerate service delivery," Simmers said.

"Esau’s defection reflects the growing desire of ANC members across the province to join a party that works."

Esau said the reason he had moved parties was because he “could not do much as the ANC did not have much power in George".

"The ANC at this stage does not serve its purpose as spelled out by former president Nelson Mandela," he told Cape Argus.

"Everything Nelson Mandela taught us and his vision have gone out the back door. For me, it is all about the people. 

"The DA has a good record that we can see ... everyone can see that."

His resignation now sets the stage for a by-election, with residents expected to return to the polls to fill the vacant seat.

Esau’s exit also comes at a time of continued political shifts in the 55-seat council.

ANC Western Cape spokesperson Sifiso Mtsweni said: "While his departure came as a surprise, we believe he took a rather disappointing decision.

"The DA is on a free-fall decline, its image is severely battered after losing three consecutive by-elections in George.

"It signals that the people of George have grown tired of an anti-poor, racist party whose preoccupation is looting the municipality and delivering no services to the people, especially in the coloured and black areas.

"Esau’s decision to join the DA amounts to a total burial of his political career as the DA is fast becoming an extinct party who does not represent any future.

"The ANC will prepare itself to defend its ward and will soon engage the community of ward 25 in selecting a candidate to replace him."

Strauss and Baadjies later reclaimed council seats under the DA banner in subsequent by-elections.

In January 2026, the PA won Ward 17 and Ward 27 from the DA in by-elections.

The PA also won Ward 16 in another by-election last week.

The DA governs George through a coalition with the Freedom Front Plus and the African Christian Democratic Party after losing its outright majority in previous by-elections.

The recent PA gains have increased pressure on the governing bloc.

Esau’s move follows other recent departures from the ANC in the Western Cape.

Former ANC Western Cape secretary Neville Delport, as well as Paul Strauss, Daniel Baadjies and Jason Donn, left the party and joined the DA in November.

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Cape Argus