ANC says DA underhandedness is wrong
30 August 2017
The ANC demands the DA to immediately stop political interference in and destabilisation of the Western Cape legislature’s conduct committee. A number of key resignations followed undue political pressure, manipulation and meddling.
This follows the sudden leaving of Adv. Lennit Max as chairperson of the legislature’s conduct committee; and also quitting of Adv. Romeo Maasdorp as the important registrar of members’ interests after his position was advertised as vacant without following proper procedure. These are serious signs of the level of interference and gravity.
The ANC says everyone can now see there is a concerted effort to cover-up after the place-keeping DA provincial leader Bonginkosi Madikizela accepted and enjoyed a suspect lavish birthday bash in a posh Cape Town hotel. Madikizela (human settlements MEC and leader of government business in the legislature) admitted he broke the law by not declaring the hospitality and/or his gifts to the legislature.
It was also revealed his partner health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo too was showered with an extravagant party in another expensive hotel. At least one donor confirmed the sponsorship of these events with gifts and hospitality.
ANC Western Cape leader of the opposition Khaya Magaxa says: “The ANC wants to get to the bottom of this scandal. It is clear from legislature records that Madikizela and Mbombo did not declare these benefits as required. That feeds speculation something unbecoming took place and warranted the conduct committee to investigate the matter as mandated in legislation.
“The Western Cape code of conduct act is clear that all members must declare their interests. Both MEC’s must account. DA premier Helen Zille must also come clean as both are in her handpicked inner circle.
“The whole saga blows up in Zille’s face as she also acted to protect Madikizela - and a damning report by the independent registrar surfaced at this investigative committee. The Western Cape deserves better than ongoing corruptive actions and shady dealings.”
The ANC also noted that this is the second chairperson of the conduct committee of the DA who are forced out. Before Max, Denis Joseph was taken from the committee when the DA could not get its way with him. The DA undermines the committee just when there is something tangible against one of its members in an investigation.
“It is always when somebody of the DA is under fire. The DA ran away from properly investigating Zille and even Patricia de Lille. At present even DA chief whip Mark Wiley is investigated and is it any wonder that he presently leads the charge against his own members and to collapse the conduct committee? Why is Zille allowed to freely influence DA members if she has been banned by her national leader Mmusi Maimane from decision making processes of the party?” Magaxa added.
In the meantime, the ANC complaints laid at the Public Protector proceed.
Issued by Cobus Grobler on behalf of ANC, 30 August 2017
