Sebastian Petersen retracts allegations against Larry Varrie
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on IOL
Newly elected Cape Town councillor Sebastian Petersen of South Africa's Democratic Alliance has withdrawn his allegations against Larry Varrie, vice-president of the National Coloured Congress, concerning guns in the Cape Flats. Varrie is nevertheless maintaining his contempt of court proceedings before the Western Cape High Court, according to IOL.
DA councillor in Cape Town Sebastian Petersen has withdrawn the allegations he made against Larry Varrie, vice-president of the National Coloured Congress (NCC), and party candidates whom he accused of supplying guns in the Cape Flats. Petersen published his retraction after contempt of court proceedings were brought by Varrie before the Western Cape High Court, reports IOL.
Petersen had published the allegations on Facebook on 3 and 4 November 2026, claiming in particular that Varrie would follow NCC leader Fadiel Adams to prison. Varrie called for the posts to be withdrawn within 12 hours, a retraction to be published for 30 days and, failing that, a 90-day suspended prison sentence. He says Petersen withdrew his remarks only after the proceedings were filed and that the case continues.
Petersen, elected in municipal ward 55 with 5,598 votes in South Africa's local elections, is also facing criticism from the Patriotic Alliance. The party is asking the DA to explain what measures it intends to take regarding the conduct of its new councillor, according to IOL.
The dispute comes after the South African DA launched municipal coalition negotiations, announced on 8 November 2026. Varrie says he asked Petersen to withdraw his remarks and apologise before turning to the courts.
