Freedom Front Plus sided with the ANC and EFF against its own members and supporters

The Freedom Front Plus (FF+) has launched an internal investigation after its Tshwane caucus sided with the ANC, EFF, and ActionSA against its own members and supporters.

The debacle dates back to 27 February 2026, when the Freedom Front Plus released a statement regarding a controversial new development in Pretoria.

The party said that it supported the Groenkloof Residents’ Association in opposing the development in Totius Street, Groenkloof.

A petition, driven by Freedom Front Plus councillors and members in the area, called for an investigation into the matter.

The Metro currently leases the disputed site to Vriendekring MSW, a non-profit organisation that has operated a popular bowling green for decades.

These sports fields and bowling greens are iconic landmarks in Pretoria, and form part of the green belt that preserves the character, lifestyle, and property values.

The Metro planned to terminate the lease with the bowling club and replace it with a new long-term agreement with commercial developers.

The proposed development includes a shopping centre, office complex, and a twelve-storey apartment building with approximately 1,800 low-cost residential units.

FF+ councillor Anne-Marie Sparg, who serves on the Metro’s Standing Committee on Petitions, raised the alarm about the issue.

She explained that there was no formal public tender process to make the property available for lease or purchase, and no land-use or rezoning applications.

“In addition, a traffic impact study assessing the possible effect of 1 800 additional households has not been conducted or submitted,” she said.

Despite this, the project was presented in public information sessions as a done deal, as though the development had already been approved.

Willie Spies, the FF Plus mayoral candidate for the City of Tshwane, said the proposed development goes against the community’s wishes.

“In the Freedom Front Plus’s view, the proposal is an attempt to transform one of Pretoria’s oldest suburbs into a massive municipal housing complex,” he said.

“This is the ultimate betrayal of residents and highlights the urgent need for a change in government,” he added.

The Freedom Front Plus endorsed the Residents’ Association’s demand for a lawful and transparent process that thoroughly considers all community submissions.

The Freedom Front Plus sided with the ANC and EFF in a surprise move

The report, along with the petition from the Freedom Front Plus, was tabled at a Tshwane Metro council meeting on 25 June 2026.

In a surprise move, the FF Plus caucus in Tshwane, under the leadership of Grandi Theunissen, sided with the ANC, EFF, and ActionSA in favour of the development.

Simply put, the FF Plus under Theunissen went against the wishes of their members, Councillor Sparg, FF Plus mayoral candidate Spies, and the Groenkloof Community.

It is not clear why the caucus decided to ignore these core stakeholders and FF Plus supporters in favour of the ANC, EFF, and ActionSA.

On 28 June 2026, FF Plus MPL and Provincial Leader: Gauteng, Jaco Mulder, released a statement criticising the decision.

“The FF+ confirmed its unchanged stance in favour of the Groenkloof Residents’ Association and the protection of the Vriendekring MSW sports grounds,” he said.

“With the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that the FF Plus caucus should not have supported the report.”

Mulder said that it sent the wrong signal that the Freedom Front Plus supports the envisioned development.

“The vote does not reflect the intention or principled position of the Freedom Front Plus,” he explained.

He reiterated that there was inadequate public participation, uncertainty regarding the legality of the process, and an absence of finalised rezoning and land-use processes.

There was also a lack of adequate traffic and infrastructure studies, uncertainty about the impact on municipal services, and the loss of established sports and green areas.

Wouter Wessels, national chairperson of the VF Plus, told Newsday that the matter is currently being investigated internally.