Cape Town EFF Councillor Crosses Floor to Join the DA in Historic Move
In a notable political development that marks a first for the City of Cape Town, a councillor from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has officially defected to the Democratic Alliance (DA). The shift has sent ripples through the city’s political landscape and reflects a changing dynamic ahead of key governance decisions.
Lungiswa Ntshuntshe, who served as a proportional representative councillor for the EFF since 2021, made her surprise move on Tuesday. She was formally welcomed into the DA’s ranks by Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Mayoral Committee Member JP Smith. In a video shared on social media, the two leaders expressed confidence in Ntshuntshe’s abilities and emphasized the positive role she is expected to play in improving service delivery in the metro.Hill-Lewis, speaking in the video, said, “We are excited to have Councillor Ntshuntshe join the DA. She brings experience and energy, and we believe she will be an asset in helping us deliver better services to the people of Cape Town.”
Ntshuntshe, for her part, did not hold back in explaining her reasons for abandoning the EFF in favor of the DA. “It’s exactly why I’m leaving the EFF,” she said. “So that I can contribute better and join the DA, because they do have the resources, they do care, and they do want to do more. I’ve seen them do this. That’s why I’m here.”
Her defection comes shortly after a similar high-profile shift in local politics. Just one month earlier, former African National Congress (ANC) caucus leader in Cape Town, Banele Majingo, also joined the DA. His move occurred on the eve of an important council meeting focused on the city’s annual budget, sparking speculation about the political realignments underway in the City of Cape Town.
During a city council session held on 25 March, EFF councillor Mzubanzi Dambuza made pointed remarks about the DA’s alleged attempts to infiltrate other political parties. “We are grateful as the EFF that after all the infiltration of the DA, none has impacted the EFF,” he asserted.
The party has now lost one of its elected representatives to the ruling party in the City of Cape Town
Ironically, barely a month after those comments, the EFF has experienced the same fate it once commented on from the sidelines. With Councillor Ntshuntshe’s move, the party has now lost one of its elected representatives to the governing party of the City of Cape Town.
Ntshuntshe’s departure marks a significant moment for the DA as it works to solidify its majority in the council and strengthen its mandate on key issues, including service delivery, housing, and infrastructure. Political analysts suggest that these recent defections could signal growing dissatisfaction among some opposition party members with their current structures, leadership, or approach to local governance.
Ntshuntshe has had a visible, if sometimes controversial, presence in local community issues. In 2023, she was involved in an incident reported by GroundUp, in which she faced backlash from backyard dwellers in Mandela Park, Khayelitsha. The community members reportedly became hostile after she was seen filming the demolition of informal shacks. The altercation drew criticism and raised questions about her role and approach in dealing with vulnerable communities. Whether this incident factored into her decision to leave the EFF remains unclear, but her alignment with the DA suggests a shift in political strategy and vision.
Her new role within the DA is yet to be formally defined, but both Hill-Lewis and Smith hinted that she would be involved in projects related to community upliftment and improving municipal responsiveness. With service delivery remaining a pressing concern for many Capetonians, especially in underserved areas, her contributions may be closely watched.
This defection reflects broader national trends of political fluidity, where ideological lines are increasingly blurred by the practical challenges of governance and community demands. It remains to be seen how the EFF will respond internally to Ntshuntshe’s departure and what impact, if any, it will have on their support base in Cape Town.
For now, the DA continues to strengthen its influence, and with the inclusion of former opposition leaders like Ntshuntshe and Majingo, it appears to be reinforcing its position as the dominant political force in the City of Cape Town.
