NEW CONSTITUENCY IN THE PROVINCE

Dacre Haddon, MPL.

The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape has formed another new constituency in the province.

As a result of huge increased DA-support in the province, council representation in Buffalo City increased from 11 to 21 councillors following the municipal elections earlier this year.

In the past, Buffalo City formed the main part of the Amathole constituency.  The new arrangement sees Buffalo City as a constituency on its own, headed by veteran DA MP Stuart Farrow.

Amathole constituency will now comprise Peddie, Stutterheim, Komga, Cathcart, Bedford and Fort Beaufort.

With nine elected municipal councillors and one elected district councillor, this constituency will be led by MPL Dacre Haddon.

As an interim arrangement a working committee consisting of councillors from Amathole and Buffalo city is in place.  This committee will oversee the “divorce” of Buffalo city as its own constituency and transition from Amathole.

First meeting of the Amathole constituency was held on 1 August at Bhisho with the councillors, provincial director Elmarie Botha, Dacre Haddon and Stuart Farrow.

On 15 August Haddon and Farrow will commence with one-on-one meetings with the Amathole councillors as part of the transition phase.