DA's Cilliers Brink Slammed Over TikTok Raid Video at Lynnwood Hijacked House
- DA mayoral candidate Cilliers Brink posted a TikTok video of himself joining a raid on a reportedly hijacked house in Lynnwood, Tshwane
- A heavily armed private security officer wearing DA insignia questioned occupants about their citizenship and Afrikaans fluency during the operation
- Critics from inside the DA and the public raised serious concerns about human rights violations and the legality of the operation
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Getty Images
GAUTENG — Democratic Alliance mayoral candidate for Tshwane, Cilliers Brink, is facing sharp criticism from within his own party and the broader public after publishing a TikTok video of himself participating in a raid on a property in Lynnwood that was allegedly hijacked.
According to News24, the footage shows Brink dressed in a bulletproof vest alongside a heavily armed private security officer bearing DA insignia and accompanied by dogs. During the operation, the officer questioned occupants about their South African citizenship and tested their fluency in Afrikaans. The clip ends with the campaign message "Vote DA" in preparation for the Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026.
Backlash over conduct and legality
The video drew immediate scrutiny over both the conduct displayed and the lawfulness of private individuals carrying out such an operation. Critics questioned whether Brink or the security personnel held any legal authority to enter and interrogate residents in the manner shown.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
Brink initially appeared to suggest he was acting in an official capacity as a peace officer, but later clarified that he had attended accompanied by registered private security and local community structures. Despite the backlash, he has not apologised, arguing instead that hijacked properties in Tshwane are a genuine source of urban decay, drug dealing, and criminal activity that demands direct action.
March and March connection raises alarms
Adding to the controversy, Brink's campaign manager had previously published a Facebook post documenting a meeting between senior Gauteng DA leaders and the leadership of "March and March," an anti-illegal immigration movement. That post was subsequently deleted. The DA's association with the group has drawn further scrutiny, as the meeting reportedly took place without prior approval from party structures.
Read also
Roosevelt High School principal shuts down matric dance after learners' unethical behaviour
Political observers suggest the DA's increasingly hardline posture on illegal migration is driven by intensifying competition with ActionSA for voters who prioritise immigration enforcement. Brink has stated he intends to continue conducting direct inspections of problem properties across the municipality, framing the approach as part of his commitment to restoring law and order in Tshwane.
View Brinks' raid video which he posted on his TikTok account here:
Man in DA shirt films cemetery campaign video
In a related article, Briefly News reported on a campaign video in which a man wearing a DA shirt urged voters to support the party on 4 November. Filmed inside a cemetery, the clip showed him rising from a gravestone to declare that the DA was not dead. The unusual setting sparked a wave of jokes and questions about whether the campaign stunt was appropriate or legal.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
