GEORGE NEWS - A Patriotic Alliance (PA) member of the provincial parliament, Brendon Adams, is not taking his recent arrest lightly and has hit back at the DA’s provincial leader and Western Cape Infrastructure MEC, Tertuis Simmers, turning the tension into what is shaping up to be a political scrum.
The matter relates to the alleged breach of a harassment order. Adams is accused of not following the conditions of the order, which he denied, calling the case politically motivated.
Simmers had previously obtained the order in Bellville, citing ongoing defamatory remarks by Adams on social media.
Contrary to early reports, Adams was not arrested at his residence, but had gone to a police station voluntarily, where he was processed. He is due to appear again in the George Magistrate’s Court today, Wednesday 1 April.
Brendon Adams in Parliament.
Access to records
Following his arrest on Friday, Adams submitted a request in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (Paia) for some records linked to a 2015 case involving alleged electricity irregularities connected to Simmers during his time as a councillor in the district municipality (Read an online article, DA councillors: Theft charges withdrawn, 28 July 2016).
The case was investigated and later withdrawn by the National Prosecuting Authority in 2017.
Adams has also asked the South African Police Service to review the relevant municipal records. “These steps are not meant to make accusations, but to ensure transparency and accountability,” he said.
Tertuis Simmers
A phone call from ‘Pappa’
Adams has maintained that the case is “all politics” and pointed to a recent exchange in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament.
He claims Simmers told him to answer his phone, because ‘Pappa’ - the police - would be calling. Adams says he received the call at that exact moment, which prompted his visit to the station on Friday.
Simmers has previously said the matter concerns alleged online attacks and his need to protect his reputation, and that he is making use of the legal processes available to him.
Adams is being represented by Winston Jansen Attorneys, and Astrid Michaels is the state prosecutor.
Read previous articles here:
- UPDATE: “This is all politics,” says Adams after arrest
- MPP Brendon Adams arrested, to appear in court on harassment order charges
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