Max's WC DA leadership hopes fading - Rapport
JOHANNESBURG (Sapa) - Allegations of sexual harassment may threaten Lennit Max's prospects of becoming the Democratic Alliance's Western Cape leader, Rapport newspaper reported on Sunday.
"Max is going to go the same way as Mbeki. He is an embarrassment to the DA and he's going to see and hear it in Hartenbos," a senior DA leader told the paper.
Max, who is the Western Cape community safety MEC, has been on paid leave since Thursday after allegations of an extramarital affair surfaced in a Cape Town tabloid. Die Kaapse Son on Wednesday reported former police clerk Belinda Peterson's claims of an affair with Max.
"He decided that under the current circumstances, it is difficult for him to give the very important portfolio his full and undivided attention," said the province's community safety department's spokeswoman Theresha Hanekom at the time.
Max refused to comment to Rapport. "Tomorrow (Monday) everything will be clear," he said. "The ball is rolling, old pal. Those who will, must go enjoy themselves, but not I nor my attorney is saying anything now." Another DA member told the newspaper that "he bluffs by saying he has widespread support. With this cloud hanging over his head, he has made more enemies. We don't have respect for him anymore." The DA's leadership elections take place in Hartenbos near Mossel Bay on March 5 and 6.
Current provincial leader Theuns Botha, who is also the Western Cape MEC for health, expects to increase his support of 70 percent in the previous leadership elections, the newspaper said.
"I now aim for an even bigger victory. I think this time I will get more than 80 percent of the votes," Botha reportedly said.
Rapport reported four previous allegations of sexual harassment against Max when he was still the provincial police commissioner.
The four policewomen included former Umkhonto we Sizwe operative and Western Cape assistant police commissioner Zelda Holtzman. Max was found not guilty on all charges because of lack of evidence.
The DA's Federal Congress was expected to address these latest allegations of sexual harassment at their meeting on Saturday, the newspaper reported.
DA leader and Western Cape premier Helen Zille told Rapport that if his misconduct was proven, "the fur will fly."
Meanwhile, Independent Democrats leader Patricia De Lille told Rapport she could sue Max for libel after crime kingpin Quinton (Mr Big) Marinus was found not guilty on 100 charges of, among others, gangsterism and murder. Max was expelled from the ID in 2004 after he accused De Lille of accepting money from Marinus. He subsequently joined the DA.
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Comments
The DA will fire this guy. It's hard to keep on pointing at Zuma with such a big elephant in your own room. He's gone
by KhulGaz on February 15 2010, 09:14
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