The DA appealed to a Member of Parliament to have the Special Council meeting of April 12, where the Makhado Council decided to restart the name-change process, declared as unprocedural.

"The DA in Louis Trichardt feels that our right to speak was infringed as well as the Code of Conduct of proceedings in Council," writes the DA.

 They also believe that when they were trying to address the meeting through all the noise going on, their microphones were turned down.

"When we spoke, there was no sound coming out and we were overruled," said Cllr Brian du Plooy from the Democratic Alliance.

During the meeting, Cllr du Plooy attempted in vain to read the DA memorandum, which contained several statements or questions, including:

* On what basis does the ANC want to overrule the court ruling – the judgement is clear that there is no need for changing the name Louis Trichardt.

* Geographical names are part of the historical, cultural and linguistic heritage of the nation, which will be better to preserve than to destroy.

* Is this name change going to promote good relationships amongst all cultural, racial, religious and business groups in the greater Makhado Municipality?

* Is this name change done with emotional feelings or is the ANC in contact with the local communities, including all parties mentioned in and around Louis Trichardt?

* This will alienate people from each other.

* Names must rectify imbalances and reflect the cultural diversity.

* Unless names are hurtful or otherwise indisputably offensive, existing names should be retained. As seen in the past historical events that have taken place, Louis Trichardt as a person was against colonialism. He was a peacemaker and never involved in any racist activities and or wars.

* Name changes should be properly supported by all communities. It must not have an effect to divide communities or create controversy as experienced in the past.

The DA stated that they object to the proposal that the name change process be restarted.

"The DA calls for a division, by saying yes or no to the item. We will not be part of this expense when we are sued, every member individually," stated the DA.

In the meeting, the division was not maintained. The DA also complained in their letter to the MP that there was no order in the house and that singing and clapping was allowed so that DA members could not be heard.