Fire DA gang sympathising councillor now
4 June 2015
The ANC Western Cape says Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille must immediately sack her senior DA councillor for Ward 12 (Belhar) Willie Desmond Jaftha after he openly associated with a convicted gangster found guilty of amongst others, murder, and pleaded for leniency in the sentencing of one member of the 28’s gang.
This follows the revelation that DA leaders in the City of Cape Town knew of their contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca) as gangsters were given an illegal economic benefit in city construction contract(s) where they are paid for ‘protection’.
ANC Western Cape community safety spokesperson in the legislature Pat Lekker says: “The DA’s mafia-like dealings and corruptive relations with gangsters knows no end. It is unheard of that a public representative pleads for mitigation of punishment in the high court as sub council chairperson Jaftha did in the case against George ‘Geweld’ Thomas and others for various serious crimes, included a number of murders.
“The DA has been implicated in various strange acts like this. Even mayor De Lille, now provincial DA leader, was suspected of receiving benefits from a gang boss. Various other DA leaders are known for befriending gang leaders like Saliem John and Ernie Lastig Solomons. The latest bout is using taxpayer money for ‘protection’ to Hard Livings members. De Lille and her team must come clean.
“The ANC demands that Jaftha be fired or it will proceed with steps to have him removed as he is clearly unfit to hold public office! Children’s lives are destroyed by these gangsters. The DA must also say what funds Jaftha or any other DA representative took from known gangsters.”
In sentencing Cape High Court judge Chantel Fortuin said of Accused 19 (Ryaaz Dennis): “During arguments for mitigation various letters of family and community members were submitted… to whom you regularly made donations, asking for leniency. Of particular interest though is a letter from a councillor of the Cape municipality, Mr WD Jaftha, councillor of Ward 12, addressed to this court with a similar request for extenuation. The court finds it absolutely shocking that an elected councillor, who must carry forth the good norms and values of our community and must see to it that our streets are free of crime, that such an elected person offers a good word for a person who is found guilty of serious crimes, including murder. The court finds it necessary to remind this councillor of his duty.”
Statement issued by Pat Lekker MPP, ANC Western Cape community safety spokesperson in the legislature, June 4 2015
