Speaker demands explanations from Cllrs Ehrenreich and Sotashe for their allegations about the City's capital expenditure

I have reviewed a number of media reports in today's newspapers in which two City of Cape Town Councillors, Councillor Tony Ehrenreich and Councillor Xolani Sotashe, made serious allegations against the Executive Mayor, Alderman Patricia de Lille, and the City administration with regard to the City's capital expenditure over the last financial year.

The Councillors in question are reported to have alleged that the Mayor and the City have deliberately misled the public on the level of the expenditure, and have disputed the Mayor's claim of a 92,9% capital spend.

Having initially reviewed the facts of this matter, I am satisfied that the Executive Mayor presented an accurate and reliable representation of the City's capital expenditure.

In this context I view the comments attributed to Councillor Ehrenreich and Councillor Sotashe in a serious light as these comments may have brought the City into disrepute and violated the Councillor's Code of Conduct.

In light of the seriousness of the situation, I have written to both Councillors today requesting an explanation for their alleged comments. After having considered their replies, I will consider whether action should be taken against them.

Statement issued by Alderman Dirk Smit, Speaker of the City of Cape Town, July 25 2013

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