Questions over Rabie and Lerm, and Governance Concerns
Since the DA holds the majority in the Overstrand Municipality, OVAC has decided to take a closer look at the party’s internal decision-making and candidate selection processes to determine whether they are generally in the best interests of ratepayers.
Annelie Rabie’s appointment, tenure, and resignation as Overstrand Executive Mayor raise important questions.
Even before her appointment, concerns were raised about her controversial dismissal from Business Against Crime in 2011 (See Annelie Rabie dismissal at BAC ). Given the significant authority and responsibility vested in an Executive Mayor, many would reasonably ask why these concerns apparently did not count against her during the DA’s vetting process.
Three years into her term, a formal motion of no confidence was submitted against her in 2024. Although the motion failed, it nevertheless represented a significant public expression of dissatisfaction with her leadership.
The situation came to a head in 2025 when Dr Rabie resigned as Executive Mayor while remaining a councillor. According to The Village News (21–27 March 2025), her departure followed significant pressure from the DA caucus in the Overstrand and reports of a substantial loss of confidence in her leadership (Village News – Annelie Rabie Resigns ).
These events raise an obvious question: what qualities or achievements now make her the preferred DA candidate for promotion to District Mayor?
Shortly after taking office, Annelie Rabie and Clinton Lerm announced that they intended to fast-track development in the Overstrand. Public input on that decision was never requested. Concerns relating to environmental impacts in an environmentally sensitive and unique area, water scarcity, starving the Onrus River of water, and the long-term cost of water (further development would necessitate very costly desalination) received little meaningful engagement, and under Dr Rabie’s leadership the municipality repeatedly declined to engage on these issues.
The DA’s own published policies recognise that economic development should be balanced with environmental sustainability, responsible water management, transparency, and meaningful public participation. OVAC is concerned that the approach adopted in the Overstrand has not reflected these principles and appears inconsistent with the party’s stated commitment to good governance.
Recently, it has also come to light that Dr Rabie has been implementing a COS electricity study with significant financial implications for ratepayers that apparently has neither been adopted by Council nor subjected to a meaningful public participation process. If correct, this raises further questions about governance, transparency, and accountability in municipal decision-making.
Turning to the DA’s newest mayoral candidate, the party announced Clinton Lerm as its candidate for the Overstrand. This was before it was publicly confirmed that the prosecuting authority would not pursue criminal charges arising from allegations relating to the De Mond Caravan Park and Fisherhaven Yacht Club tenders. This again raises questions about the factors the DA considers when selecting candidates for senior public office.
Imagine you owned a business and wanted to appoint a manager. Would you appoint someone who is the subject of unresolved allegations that have attracted the attention of the Hawks?
The relevant authorities have since indicated that the decision not to prosecute was based on insufficient evidence and a lack of reasonable prospects for a successful prosecution.
Public concerns regarding the tender process nevertheless remain, and OVAC is of the opinion that, in the interests of transparency and restoring public confidence in Councillor Lerm and the DA, all relevant documentation relating to the tender process should be released for public scrutiny.
This would also provide Councillor Lerm with an excellent opportunity to demonstrate his commitment to openness and transparency.
Councillor Lerm is well aware of the issues raised concerning Dr Rabie and was present at most meetings where these matters were discussed. He and Deputy Mayor Elnora Gillion met with the Overstrand Environmental Association on 18 August 2025, during which environmental and water concerns were clearly explained. However, no corrective action followed, nor was there any response to subsequent correspondence.
Despite serving in the influential position of MAYCO member and being in the middle of his election campaign, Councillor Lerm has not responded to the public concerns regarding the COS electricity study and the high and rising fixed charges issued by the municipality. Councillor Lerm was however quick to take on ESKOM regarding the slow rate at which they restored electricity after the recent storms,which was politically much safer ground and drew attention to external service delivery issues rather than internal municipal governance concerns.
To date, there is no indication in Councillor Lerm’s election campaign that these matters will be addressed.
Based on these two examples, OVAC is of the view that the DA’s candidate selection process appears to reward officials whose conduct is not fully aligned with the party’s own stated principles. It also appears that, at least in the Overstrand, the DA’s actions do not reflect their published principles.
Anton Kruger
OVAC
