Update

GEORGE NEWS - George DA Councillor Stag Cronjé announced today in a statement that his appeal against a guilty finding and fine was upheld by Minister of Local Government Anton Bredell. 

Cronjé said Bredell’s exoneration relates to the original charges brought against him – criminal offence in connection with George Municipal funds invested with Old Mutual.

Read more from Cronjé’s statement below:

“From this outrageous original accusation flowed a charge of transgressing the Code of Conduct for Councillors, and the minister’s finding clears me on all charges conjured, caballed, and conspired.

This finding is in addition to the confirmation by NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila on April 26 that none of the allegations in the docket can be substantiated, and that there is no evidence of any criminal offence, and the NPA therefore declines to prosecute.

ALSO READ: Lawyers stand up for Stag and Kid

The minister’s finding does me no more than justice and confirms that all the wrongful accusations in this unjust affair are ab initio null and void – I should never have been charged at all.

I am not surprised by the minister’s finding. I have retained complete trust in the leadership of my party, the DA, and never for a moment considered that ethical leadership and good governance practice might fail.

ALSO READ: More digging into 'dodgy' investment

I stress that this finding ends some three years of often unbearable stress by the certainty of innocence cruelly ignored even by colleagues.”

'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'