Action Society is demanding public accountability from political parties negotiating Kannaland’s next municipal government, as convicted child sex offender and incumbent mayor Jeffrey Donson seeks another term. The organisation wants every party involved in coalition discussions to disclose whether it is negotiating with Donson’s Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa (ICOSA), whether his reappointment is being considered and what standards it applies when supporting candidates for public office.
Donson was convicted in 2008 of statutory rape and indecent assault involving a 15-year-old girl. His conviction was upheld on appeal, although his sentence was reduced.
The 2026 municipal elections have left Kannaland with a hung council. ICOSA and the Democratic Alliance (DA) each secured three of the ten seats, the Patriotic Alliance (PA) won two, and the African National Congress (ANC) and Kannaland Independent Party (KIP) each secured one. Six seats are required for a majority.
The election results do not establish who will become mayor, and no new mayoral appointment has been confirmed.
“Coalition negotiations are taking place behind closed doors, but the people of Kannaland deserve to know what is being discussed. Are political parties considering an agreement that would allow a man convicted of sexual offences against a child to serve another term as mayor? If so, they must be prepared to explain that decision publicly,” says Juanita du Preez, national spokesperson for Action Society.
Action Society is calling on the DA, PA, ANC and KIP to state whether they are engaged in coalition discussions with ICOSA and whether they would support Donson’s reappointment. The organisation also wants any coalition agreement and its leadership arrangements made public.
Donson was first elected mayor in November 2021, removed through a motion of no confidence in January 2022 and returned to office in October 2022.
Action Society formally demanded his removal in December 2022, writing to the Kannaland Speaker and the Western Cape MEC for Local Government. In January 2023, the organisation launched an initiative calling for amendments to sections 47 and 106 of the Constitution to strengthen restrictions on convicted perpetrators holding public office.
Through its No Perpetrators in Power campaign, Action Society has consistently called for stronger background checks, transparent candidate vetting and legislative reform addressing serious sexual and violent offences.
Current electoral eligibility provisions do not impose a permanent prohibition on holding public office for every conviction involving a sexual offence against a child. Action Society believes these provisions require urgent review, subject to constitutional safeguards.
“South Africa cannot claim to prioritise the protection of children while avoiding difficult questions about accountability in public leadership. A criminal sentence may have been served, but the conviction remains part of the public record. Political parties must explain how they weigh that history when deciding who should lead a community,” says Du Preez.
Action Society is calling for an urgent parliamentary review of the legislation governing eligibility for public office, alongside mandatory disclosure of serious criminal convictions and transparent vetting during leadership appointments.
The organisation will continue seeking clarity on Kannaland’s coalition negotiations and the standards applied in selecting the municipality’s next mayor.
“Action Society has raised concerns about Donson for years. We have written letters, demanded accountability and called for legislative change. The new council now faces decisions that deserve public scrutiny,” Du Preez concludes.
“The question for every party at the negotiating table is straightforward: What are your standards for public leadership, and how will you account for them to the people of Kannaland?”
Soundbite:
