The Eden District Municipality will hold a special council meeting on Wednesday to temporarily fill the vacancy left by former Speaker, Mark Willemse.
The Municipality confirmed in a statement that Willemse resigned on Monday, but said he would retain his position as the Knysna Council representative in the Eden District Municipality.
Willemse was controversially elected as the mayor of Knysna last week after an ANC-sponsored motion of no confidence saw Eleanor Bouw Spies being ousted.
The move angered his party, with DA Western Cape leader, Bonginkosi Madikizela, likening it to a "coup", adding that it was illegal for Willemse to hold two positions.
Speaking to Algoa FM News on Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Willemse spoke of his continued loyalty to the DA and the residents of Knysna, where he was elected as a Ward Councillor.
"I took the decision to resign as the Speaker of the Eden District Council as I felt my priority is with Knysna. I am a Knysna councillor, first and foremost. I was elected as a Ward Councillor in Knysna hence the fact that I see my priority as Knysna."
"With regard to the comments by Madikizela (about a coup), it was rather unfortunate. A coup is more military in nature than anything else and Knysna hasn't given up the running of the town to another political party, it's still in the hands of the DA," he said.
"So, I'm not too sure about the coup statement."
Willemse said that there was "fair support" for him at this moment in time from the community.
"Of course there's lots of concern. The town needs some direction. There's been a lot of negative comments and vibes going through the town after the fires, it's been a very difficult time for Knysna," he said.
"Lots of concern has been raised about promises that were not kept and I think the town needs a turn-around and hopefully a change brings a more positive note and that people can actually go forward and believe that, first and foremost, the DA is the party that is the party to take this country forward and I'm a firm and loyal member of the DA, right at this moment, even though I am in conflict with them with regards to certain issues. That I'm taking legal advice on," he continued.
"Hopefully, I can make those changes and be the breath of fresh air that takes Knysna forward," he said.
