Update
GEORGE NEWS - In a press release Wednesday night 25 April, Mayor Melvin Naik accused two opposition councillors of displaying opportunism, saying PBI Councillor Virgill Gericke and FF Plus Councillor Gert van Niekerk “have committed themselves to certain statements that are not protected by way of privilege”.
Read a related article here: Opposition takes credit for raid.
Naik said he had referred the matter to his legal team for further action. He further said, “I am extremely surprised that Councillor Gericke has allowed himself to be used in this way by the Freedom Front Plus in the furtherance of their agenda”.
Read the mayor's statement here.
Gericke and Van Niekerk responded as follows:
FF Plus Councillor Gert van Niekerk: “We take note of the Mayor's personal declaration of his innocence. We are not in a position to confirm or deny it and therefore cannot comment. That is exactly why the serious allegations must be investigated by government.
Regarding the Mayor's references to the so-called ‘opportunism’ of myself and Gericke, it seems he wants to play the race card rather than concentrating on the true circumstances and course of events. Referring to Gericke as a "pawn" in this case is not only a total underestimation of his integrity but also a blow in the face of the PBI and its support base.
If it were not for Gericke, these allegations would not have come to the fore or else, it would have come to the fore on a completely different platform and played down.
As a councillor, one has a statutory duty to report any allegations of serious crime and that is exactly what we have done. The FF Plus was approached by Gericke for assistance, and not the other way round. We may have different political mandates, but we are both bound by our office to act in the best interests of George and its constituents at all times, and thereby we are united in combating any crime / alleged crime.
For the sake of convenience, the Mayor has not stated that the press release on these allegations was by no means a FF + initiative but was jointly presented by most of the minority parties in the opposition."
PBI Councillor Virgill Gericke: "In response to the statement of the Mayor of George, the following: I take note of the reckless, incriminating statement of the Mayor. This is a very cunning way of diverting the public attention away from the facts.
As far as I can recall, neither myself nor the PBI has directly linked the Mayor to any criminal activities.
It is surprising that the Mayor is issuing a statement, exonerating himself, while no direct reference is made to him.
Not the Mayor nor the DA is above the law. The public has the right to know. Our Constitutional democracy guarantees free speech. I am a party political leader, represented in the city council of George, and have the right to comment or engage in any public matter of interest to the citizens of this city.
I take strong exception to the veiled threat that I hide behind protection of privileges. What I say in Council, I can repeat in public. Therefore I will not be silenced by the threat of legal action. By doing this, the Mayor is employing a very old apartheid trick, typical DA style.
I vehemently object to myself being referred to as a pawn of the FF+. The PBI is an autonomous political party with it's own political objectives. Our political agenda differs radically from that of the FF+.
This in itself is defamatory and speaks of the narrow political insight of the Mayor, effectively casting doubt on his competence to occupy this high office. The PBI is an autonomous political party with it's own political objectives.Our political agenda differs radically from that of the FF+.
Every citizen with political interest will know that the PBI and myself stand relentless in the struggle for justice and the economic emancipation of all people, especially the poor and the needy.
I have not approached the Freedom Front+ and will never approach them for political guidance. It's absurd to put the PBI's political agenda equal to that of the FF+. It speaks of a distaste , immaturity and opportunism from the side of the Mayor. I categorically state, that I have approached Gert van Niekerk, as an individual with a legal background.
The public was brought under the impression that the DA investigated the matter at first. If their investigation has found no substance of any criminal activity, why then would the Hawks raid their offices? The inference could now be drawn that substance was indeed found and therefore the raid of the Hawks was justified.
I was reliably informed that imminent arrests will follow. Therefore the PBI rejects this statement of the Mayor with the contempt it deserves. I wish to warn the Mayor that his statement is slanderous and borders on defamation and obstruction of justice.
This desperate attempt of the Mayor to sway the public opinion in his direction, is premature and uncalled for."
DA constituency comments
Marchell Kleynhans, chairman of the George DA Constituency of George said they have taken note of the investigation by the Hawks.
“According to our information, the executive mayor, municipal manager and other officials are involved. We have been informed that this forensic investigation was requested by the minister of local government, Anton Bredell.
"As far as we know the Mayor is on leave, pending the investigation. Council will take action in accordance with the Municipal Finance Management Act, should officials be found guilty.”
Kleynhans said the DA holds that a person is innocent until proven guilty and therefore the constituency do not want to comment further at this stage.
Read related articles:
- Hawks swoop on George
- DA asked for raid of George Municipality
- Update: Hawks raid George Municipality
- Klopjag by George-munisipaliteit
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