GEORGE NEWS - The ANC has turned to the police to press a charge of theft against DA councillor Cecil Noble. Noble, a member of the Mayoral Committee, has accumulated electricity debt of R38 000 over a lengthy period. He paid a hefty fine for tampering with his electricity meter in June last year.
A newly formed council committee has been appointed to investigate the matter, but according to the ANC more serious action is required. The ANC refused to serve on the committee.
On Monday, ANC Chief Whip Nomawethu Jantjies-Gushman and councillors Piet van der Hoven, Phumela Nosana and Tobeka Teyisi laid a charge of theft against Noble at the George Police Station. Jantjies-Gushman received a notification yesterday informing her that the case has been transferred to the Pacaltsdorp Police Station.
When approached for comment, Noble said he would like to comment, but referred the George Herald to Speaker Gerrit Pretorius. Neither Pretorius nor the George Herald could get hold of Noble thereafter.
A previous investigation by Goussard Attorneys, requested by Council, found Noble to have breached the Code of Conduct for councillors. In terms of this code, the municipal accounts of councillors may not be more than three months in arrears.
"Noble didn't shift a flower arrangement in Council, he stole electricity," said ANC Councillor Piet van der Hoven. "This is a serious violation. When I took the initiative to shift a bouquet of flowers in Council to enable a view of the Speaker [29 June 2015], they took immediate action. I had law enforcement officers knocking on my door the very next day."
Van der Hoven said it is the duty of any citizen to report a crime when it comes to one's attention. "So much more if the person in question is a chosen public representative. We gave the municipality the opportunity to report the matter to the police and as far as we could ascertain it was not done. The onus is now on us to fulfil our constitutional obligations."
ANC Chief Whip Nomawethu Jantjies-Gushman (front) and fellow ANC councillors (at the back) Phumela Nosana and Piet van der Hoven taking a selfie at the police station.
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