ID CAPE TOWN QUESTIONS ‘SURPRISINGLY' LENIENT SANCTION FOR CORRUPT DA COUNCILLOR

Brett Herron, ID Councillor and Spokesperson for the ID Caucus in the City of Cape Town, says the ID is ‘alarmed' by the ‘surprisingly' lenient sentences recommended by the City's Disciplinary Committee for DA Councillor Charlotte Tabisher, who was found guilty on 9 charges of misconduct.

Council will consider the Disciplinary Committee's report and recommendations at its full council meeting today.

The report reveals that Councillor Tabisher, DA Councillor for Athlone, was found guilty on 8 charges of ‘misconduct' for promising members of the public state-subsidised housing in return for payment from them.

Councillor Tabisher was also found guilty on one charge of fraud, for preparing a grant-in-aid application for an organisation that no longer existed.

The Disciplinary Committee has recommended a fine of R10 000 for the 8 charges of misconduct and that Councillor Tabisher be removed from office for the fraud charge.

‘The ID is mindful that those who heard the evidence directly are in a better position to judge, however, having found a pattern of conduct where Councillor Tabisher was receiving payment from various people and in return promising them housing, it is very surprising that the Disciplinary Committee is recommending a fine of just R10 000,' Mr Herron says.

‘This councillor appears to have abused her position of trust to enrich herself at the expense of poor and vulnerable people who are desperate for a home. It is therefore hard to imagine that there are mitigating factors that warrant a recommendation on sanction that falls short of anything but removal from office for each of the 8 charges.

‘Voters are tired of politicians promising to clamp down on corruption but then failing to act accordingly. Taking money from the public, particularly the poor, and promising a house in return is corruption,' says Herron.

‘Failing to send a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated in housing allocations would be a mistake.'

Statement issued by Cllr Brett Herron, Independent Democrat councillor City of Cape Town, May 25 2010

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