GEORGE NEWS - Nine George councillors and their various alleged misbehaviours, complete with recommendations, were listed as the eleventh item on the agenda of an ordinary council meeting last Thursday.

Seven of these councillors - DA (4), ANC (2), Good (1) - have been excused for their alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.

Sexting matter

Among them is Deputy Mayor Raybin Figland, who will not have to undergo a disciplinary for a "sexting matter" in which he was allegedly involved. A report by Schröter Attorneys indicates that there are no reliable evidence to proceed to act on the matter. This was accepted by Council.

Figland received a lot of heat for his alleged "sexting" and has been suspended from all DA activities since March this year. He has also been removed from the process for becoming a parliamentary candidate, but still fulfilled his role as deputy mayor at George Municipality.

The complaint is related to Figland's alleged relationship with a 19-year-old matriculant in 2021. Allegations include the sending of improper photos to Figland by the 19-year-old. Figland, who is married, was separated from his wife at the time the alleged sexting took place.

The Freedom Front Plus and ACDP both wrote a letter of complaint to the speaker on the matter, saying moral values should be linked to the chair of the deputy mayor. FF Plus Councillor Chris Neethling asked in Council that a report by Adv Glynnis Breytenbach, Chairperson of the DA Federal Legal Commission, be also considered before they make a final call. 

According to Neethling this report paints a different picture and should have been included in the investigation. His request was rejected and the recommendation "not to take any disciplinary action" was accepted by Council.

On a request for comment, Figland said the DA's investigation is still ongoing, and therefore he would rather not comment on the matter just yet. He is still not allowed to participate in any DA activities. "The DA and Council run seperate processes."

Deputy Mayor Raybin Figland (left) during the inauguration of the new George Mayor, Jackie von Brandis. Photo: Michelle PienaarCrimen injuria

Another councillor who can now breathe more easily is DA Councillor Iona Kritzinger, who was accused of crimen injuria against Fernando Fredericks, a former DA councillor, in a Facebook post matter. 

Council resolved to dismiss the allegations against her.

According to the disciplinary committee's report to Council, the date on the charge sheet was incorrect, Fredericks never laid a proper complaint and the 'evidence' was not authenticated.

Furthermore, the report states that the truth is one of the major defences against defamation, and that what was actually said in Kritzinger's alleged post, was indeed true: "Mr Fredericks conceded that he is fat, that his actions was foolish [he resigned as candidate just before a by-election in July 2023 because he learnt that the DA supports LGBTQ rights, which is against his Christian beliefs] and that he is a pastor..." It was also stated that one must have a thick skin when you enter politics.

Kritzinger opted to refrain from providing any comment on the matter.

DA Councillor Iona Kritzinger

The other councillors who won't have to face a disciplinary process include:

• ANC Clr Jarques Esau for not following the right protocol when he organised a Lights Festival for Uniondale the matter was resolved successfully);
• ANC Councillor Simphiwe Toto on a matter that volves his alleged request to a resident to subdivide a property (no reasonable grounds were found, nor evidence to proceed to act on the matter);
• DA Councillor Brendon Adams on a property matter (he is protecting his own property from illegal occupants);
• DA Councillor Charlotte Clarke on a matter about alleged interference in administration (the parties resolved the matter successfully through mediation);
• Good Councillor Rosa Louw for an alleged incident of assault (the allegation lacked factual substance, no clear breach of the Code was identified and the matter should be finalised in criminal proceedings).

Most of these councillors declined to comment on the various matters; some mentioned how tired they were of people playing politics.

ANC Councillor Jarques Esau (right) with his councillor cousins. Photo: Michelle Pienaar

Adams and Louw were willing to share a few words. 

Adams said he bought the property, but the seller refused to move after he paid them. "On 18 July I won an eviction order against them in court, with cost. They have to move out on 13 December. These people told a lot of stories about me at council and the public protector. Look, they took a chance because I'm a councillor."

Louw said the accusations against her and her daughters are completely untrue. "I am not that type of person [who would assault others] and I didn't raise my children like that."

One and only

ANC Councillor Thembinkosi Lento is the only one for whom disciplinary action was recommended. Former EFF Councillor Luvuyo Ncamile who was involved in the same chat box matter resigned, therefore no action will be taken against him.

According to a report in the agenda, Lento is being accused of misrepresentation and dishonesty, following an incident where he commented on behalf of EFF Councillor Pheliswa Qampi in the chatbox section during a virtual council meeting in January last year.

ANC Councillor Thembinkosi Lento (red jacket in front) with DA Councillor Brendon Adams (right) and other members of Council during the inauguration of Mayor Jackie von Brandis. Photo: Michelle Pienaar

In Speaker Sean Snyman's report to Council the following is stated: "The camera footage of the council chambers... indicates that Councillor Qampi left the council chambers at 13:45 and did not return... No leave of absence was granted to her. However, during the voting process, Councillor Lento indicated in the chat box at 14:24 the following: 'Cllr Qampi is struggling Log in I'm using Cll Lento laptop. INFAVOUR'."

The report states that it is alleged that Lento breached the Code of Conduct for Councillors, which requires performance of functions in good faith, honesty and in a transparent manner. The municipality did not receive any response from Lento on the allegations made against him.

Asked for comment, Lento said the person who left the chambers was Councillor Qampi, not him. "We were using the same laptop." He said he will give his side of the story to the disciplinary committee, as was agreed in Council.

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