Anco Barker, the national spokesperson for the People’s Movement for Change (PMC), announced her resignation from the role on 30 September 2026, less than six weeks ahead of South Africa’s 4 November local government elections. Barker described her decision as deliberate and well-considered, denying any impulsiveness or emotional motivation.
“It was not impulsive; it wasn’t emotional or made overnight. I watched, I listened, I assessed, and ultimately I made a decision that I believe is right for me,” Barker said in a public statement reported by Daily Voice.
Despite Barker’s announcement, PMC president Marius Fransman publicly contradicted claims that she had left the party. Speaking on the same day, Fransman stated, “According to me, and the leadership, Anco is still a member of the organisation. We have taken note of the video. She is still our head of communication.” PMC’s official leadership page corroborates this by still listing Barker as Head Director of Communications, alongside Fransman as president.
Barker’s resignation comes after a series of party changes in recent years. Independent reports from IOL confirmed her resignation as a Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor in Mossel Bay in June 2023, where she cited concerns about dishonesty within the DA caucus. Barker had stated, “I have seen how the DA caucus in Mossel Bay have acted in an unfit, dishonest and untransparent manner, by means of willingly and knowingly withholding critical information from agenda items to mislead council.” She subsequently left the Freedom Front Plus in April 2024, as reported by Daily Voice.
The conflicting accounts between Barker and PMC leadership highlight ongoing tensions regarding her status within the party. While Barker publicly declared her resignation from the spokesperson role and implied a departure from the party, the official PMC position maintains her membership and current communications leadership. No formal confirmation or updated party records have been issued to clarify Barker’s official standing ahead of the elections.
This leadership dispute raises questions about internal party cohesion within PMC just weeks before the critical local government elections nationwide on 4 November 2026. Barker’s political future after this announcement remains unconfirmed by a second independent source, and no information has been released about any potential replacement for her spokesperson duties.
CapeFlats.co.za will continue to monitor developments in this story and provide updates as further information emerges from PMC or Anco Barker herself.