Jarad Frimmel resigns as councillor for Ward 56
The DA says that they were caught off-guard by the sudden resignation of Ward 56 Councillor Jarad Frimmel.
Jarad Frimmel resigned from his Ward 56 councillor position on April 1, leaving his community and colleagues shocked.
According to DA Chief Whip Ofentse Madzebatela, Frimmel’s resignation came as a surprise to the party, and he did not specify the reasons behind his decision.
“The resignation of Councillor Jarad Frimmel came to us as a surprise. We cannot speak on his reasons for resigning, as he did not include them in his resignation letter.”
He added that they do not want to venture into assumptions or speculation.
Despite his sudden exit, Madzebatela highlighted the many contributions Frimmel made to his ward and the metro.
“He continued to work right up until his resignation, and he was well-loved not just as a ward councillor but as a respected member of the community,” he said.
“Frimmel was deeply involved in numerous initiatives, including emergency services and the Community Policing Forum.”
Madzebatela also recalled a particularly notable event last year when Frimmel assisted in delivering a baby on the sidewalk in Lynnwood.
“He has always been dedicated to his community,” he said.
Madzebatela said there appeared to be a pattern of disillusionment among DA councillors in Tshwane, particularly regarding the current metro administration.
“We’ve seen a frustrating trend where DA councillors are increasingly dissatisfied with the way the administration is running things,” he explained.
He pointed to specific instances where city officials and administrators have allegedly been instructed not to share vital information with DA councillors, hindering their ability to address service delivery issues.
He said this is something that he raised with the speaker in the last council meeting.
“We believe this could be a political ploy or an attempt to make the DA look bad. However, we cannot say that definitively,” he added.
Madzebatela assured that the DA would act swiftly to fill the position left vacant by Frimmel.
He said they will follow the proper procedures and await the dates set by the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC).
“We have a selection process in place, and we will ensure we select a capable new councillor to serve the people of Ward 56.”
He also outlined new criteria recently approved by the federal council for selecting public representatives, noting that candidates must be a DA member for at least 30 days before being considered.
In the interim, Shaun Wilkinson, the DA councillor for neighbouring Ward 59, has stepped in as a stand-in councillor for Ward 56.
“I’m now assisting in managing the ward while we await the new appointment,” said Wilkinson.
“I’ve already joined the local WhatsApp groups and am helping community members with their concerns.”
Wilkinson acknowledged the service delivery challenges in Ward 56, including issues with potholes, water leaks, and power outages.
“We are taking it one step at a time, and we will eventually get there,” he said.
Attempts to reach Frimmel for comment on his resignation were unsuccessful.
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