Opposition takes credit for raid

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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Opposition parties in the George Council claim it is their constant pressure on the DA provincial government that led to Monday's raid on the municipality by the Hawks. They welcome the investigation, saying it is long overdue.

They demand the immediate suspension of Mayor Melvin Naik and want Municipal Manager Trevor Botha to follow hot on his heels.

PBI leader Virgill Gericke claims the opposition brought allegations of corruption and bribery to the attention of the DA's Western Cape leader Bonginkosi Madikizela and Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Anton Bredell, last year.

"We've been calling for so long in Council and all relevant bodies to investigate allegations of corruption and tender fraud. We hope the Hawks will do a thorough investigation," he said. He was speaking at a press conference at the municipality hosted by the PBI, ANC, FF Plus, ACDP and AIC.

Gericke embroidered on one of the cases, saying the opposition parties submitted proof to both the Hawks and the police. "In this event two key individuals in the municipality are involved. Apparently they've been paid off with bribes on a monthly basis for a contract awarded to a company without following the relevant supply chain procedures.

"After the contractor stopped paying the alleged bribes, the contract was cancelled. That contractor is indebted to the amount of R5,8-million for equipment - lorries, tractors, machinery that he purchased because of the work he was going to do for the municipality.

"That individual doesn't have a way of paying back the R230 000 owed to his financier and at the moment those trucks are parked somewhere in the industrial area in George."

At the press conference are, from left: Johan du Toit (ACDP), Gert van Niekerk (FF Plus), Virgill Gericke (PBI), Nomawethu Jantjies and Langa Langa (both ANC). Photo: Michelle Pienaar

The contractor is said to be from Mossel Bay, and allegedly also paid R100 000 to an employee of the municipality for the use of a residential address in Blanco as proof that he resides in George, so that he could be registered on the local supply chain database.

According to Gericke this is one of the most pressing issues into which the opposition requested urgent investigation.

ANC Councillor Langa Langa said this is just the tip of the iceberg. "I am not surprised," he said, referring to the raid. "It was just a matter of time. People must be arrested for what they have done. It is a great day for us as opposition."

ANC Councillors Nomawethu Jantjies (left) and Langa Langa.

Johan du Toit of the ACDP said Bredell doesn't act quick enough. "He asks legal opinion upon legal opinion, to protect the DA. He doesn't want to act against these things."

FF Plus Councillor Gert van Niekerk said the DA is busy with damage control, and should have acted months ago when the matter was brought to their attention.

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