GEORGE NEWS - In an article today in George Herald (13 June, p.4) DA Provincial Leader Tertuis Simmers is quoted that investigations involving Garden Route District Municipality's former mayor Memory Booysen have not been concluded. 

The fact that no findings have been made regarding said investigations, was cited as the reason why the DA did not have a problem sending him to the Provincial Legislature - a position which is broadly seen as a promotion.

Simmers's quote was used directly after reference to Municipal Manager Monde Stratu's court case which was removed from the court roll earlier this year, pertaining to alleged fraudulent property transfers.

This has upset Stratu, who contacted George Herald about the matter. 

It is important to note that the investigation Simmers referred to is not the former court case of Stratu, but in fact a referral to allegations of misconduct and corruption involving GRDM. 

According to Simmers these allegations are being investigated externally, and these investigations have not yet been concluded.

Booysen's recent departure for a seat in the Provincial Legislature is a bone of contention for the Garden Route Ratepayers Association who has brought several allegations under the attention of the DA's Federal Executive chair Helen Zille. 

One of these issues was Booysen's support of Monde Stratu during the Hawk's investigation, which led to a court case. The case was struck from the roll in March this year. 

National Prosecuting Authority's Spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila emphasised that this does not mean that the matter has been withdrawn, but Stratu is adamant that the investigation against him is something of the past.

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