ANC intensifies calls for Western Cape Premier Alan Winde's recall, DA labels it ‘utter rubbish’
ANC ramps up pressure to recall Alan Winde, DA hits back and backs his appeal
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
The ANC in the Western Cape legislature has intensified calls for the recall of Premier Alan Winde, claiming it has secured engagement from senior Democratic Alliance (DA) leadership on the matter.
The ANC caucus said it claims it obtained a commitment from DA MPL Thomas Walters, who also serves as deputy federal chairperson of the party’s federal council, to raise its demand for Winde’s recall with the party’s federal chair, Helen Zille.
According to the ANC, this indicates that its call is now receiving attention at the highest levels of the DA, placing pressure on the party’s national leadership to act and respond to concerns raised in the provincial legislature.
The DA has, however, rejected the ANC’s claims, describing them as “utter rubbish”.
“This is utter rubbish,” said DA Western Cape communications manager Matthew Sims, adding that the party supports Winde’s position and his decision to challenge the finding.
“We have been clear, we support our Premier’s intention and right to appeal.”
The ANC caucus described the situation as “a public embarrassment for the DA” and said Winde had become “a political liability” for his party, arguing that the matter has escalated beyond a provincial issue and now reflects on the party’s national leadership.
ANC Western Cape leader Khalid Sayed previously described the finding against Winde as “a victory for public accountability and oversight”, adding that “there must be consequences for the premier”.
In earlier comments, he argued that the non-disclosure “violates public trust… it was not an omission… it was blatant dishonesty”.
The ANC has maintained that the issue reflects broader concerns about governance and accountability under the DA-led provincial administration, insisting that ethical standards must be applied consistently across all levels of leadership and that leaders must be held accountable when breaches occur.
The development follows a finding by the Western Cape Provincial Legislature’s Conduct Committee that Winde breached the Members’ Code of Conduct by failing to declare a sponsored economy-class flight to New York, valued at about R51 000, in his financial disclosures. The committee described this as a “clear breach” of the code and recommended a reprimand.
The finding relates to a disclosure breach under the legislature’s ethics rules, and does not constitute a criminal or corruption ruling.
The ANC has argued that, despite the technical nature of the breach, the issue raises serious ethical questions and warrants political accountability, including calls for Winde’s resignation or recall.
The DA has also previously characterised the matter as political point-scoring, maintaining that Winde did not receive any personal benefit and that due process should be allowed to unfold through the appeal process.
A spokesperson for Premier Alan Winde said the Western Cape government had been reimbursed for the travel.
“The Western Cape Government was reimbursed the value of an economy class ticket, which was disclosed in the Department of the Premier’s annual report. This saved the South African taxpayer money,” said spokesperson Regan Thaw.
Thaw confirmed that the conduct committee finding is being appealed and reiterated that the travel arrangement did not result in personal gain.
He also criticised the ANC’s stance, describing it as “a desperate ANC trying to distract South Africans from the multi-trillion rand kingdom of corruption they have built over the last decade or two”.
Calls for Winde’s resignation have been mounting in recent weeks following the committee’s findings, with opposition parties using the outcome to increase pressure on the premier and to question the DA’s commitment to ethical governance.