Zille must give answers about MEC Plato

DA leader Helen Zille will have to give answers tomorrow in the legislature about her community safety MEC Dan Plato's relations with his secretaries. The ANC demands of Zille to fire Plato after another scandal rocks his ministry (see report in The Times).

Zille has turned a blind eye to this stumbling MEC who drags his office, department and government from the mud to the quirk mire.

ANC Western Cape spokesperson on community safety Dorothea Gopie says: "The latest revelation of nepotism and indiscretion under Plato is a travesty. His former secretary was appointed in his department at a handsome remuneration package. What was his role in this? He knew she was kicked out as councillor because she did not pay her candidate money to the DA after she followed him up in his ward. She then opposed her old party as a Cope candidate.

"No sooner did she lose that by-election and her court case against her expulsion, the former secretary Jermayne Andrews was given a perch in Plato's department. It is telling that Plato threatened to fire a whistle-blower when he was asked about his averred relationship with Andrews. He also defends her appointment! Is this coincidence?

"It was also not too long ago that another secretary Liezel Jonathan was caught with drugs in her home. As the crime fighting MEC Plato defended her. Twice! And in the end he had to let her go.

"Plato is also defending his meetings with drug lords and even defends gangsters. And premier Helen Zille does nothing about her MEC who's reputation hangs in shreds! His tomfooleries are counting against Zille, the Western Cape provincial government and the failing DA. The voters must deal with Zille for her inactions."

Statement issued by Dorothea Gopie, ANC Western Cape spokesperson on community safety, December 3 2013

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