THE ANC and FF VOTE FOR CORRUPTION IN MATJHABENG COUNCIL By Maxie Badenhorst DA

THE ANC and FF VOTE FOR CORRUPTION IN MATJHABENG COUNCIL
By Maxie Badenhorst DA Matjhabeng Councillor
Date 30 August 2021

Release Immediate

On the 17th of February 2017, Councillor Vicky Morris, Ward Councillor for Ward 11 Bronville, was informed by the Speaker of a formal complaint received against Cllr. Morris for alleged breach of the code of conduct of Councillors as stipulated under schedule 1 of the Municipal Systems Act, no. 32 of 2000.

Cllr. Morris was accused of receiving a bribe from a Mr Barnard, who supplied the complainant, Cllr. Piet Botha from the DA, with video footage of the transaction which then resulted in the formal complaint laid by Mr. Barnard and Cllr. Botha.

An ad hoc committee was established by Council on 31 May 2017 to investigate these allegations of which the following Councillors were part, Cllr. Mosia ANC Chairperson, Cllr. Liphoko ANC, Cllr. HS Badenhorst DA and Cllr. SDM Taljaard FF Plus.

After several meetings, delays and postponements of meetings, the item being referred back by Council for further investigation and then referred back because of the absence of the Chairperson of the Committee, the findings of the Committee served before Council of the 24th of August 2021.

The findings of the Committee was very clear and as follows

1. That a financial transaction to the amount of R10 000 took place between Mr. Morris and Mr. Barnard
2. That a refund of R10 000 was later made in favour of Mr. Barnard and
3. That the financial transaction between the parties was inappropriate, given Cllr. Morris position as Councillor based on the provisions of the Code of Conduct of Councillors.

The recommendations also was very clear as to the fate of Cllr. Morris

1. That Council sanctions Cllr. Morris using the following options, in line with the provisions of the Municipal Systems Act

a. Issue a formal warning to Cllr. Morris
b. Reprimand the Cllr.
c. Request the MEC Cogta to suspend Cllr. Morris for a period
d. Fine the Cllr and
e. Request the MEC to remove the Cllr. from office

2. An awareness program and intensive orientation should follow on the Code of Conduct and Declaration of Financial Interests.

During discussions of the item in Council on 24 August 2021, Cllr Mosia, the Chairperson of the Committee, presented the findings and recommendations of the Committee, but in response several Councillors from the ANC, indicated that the money taken was a loan from Mr. Barnard and that the loan was subsequently paid back and therefore Cllr. Morris did nothing wrong. They claimed that according to the report, Mr. Barnard was not a reliable witness and therefore the matter must be closed and Cllr. Morris cleared of any wrongdoing. Cllr. Badenhorst made a counter argument and stressed the fact that the Committee was established to investigate and make suggestions to Council and that it is unclear why the recommendations are ignored by Council. If the recommendations of the Committee is just ignored, what was the purposes of spending several hours with investigations and interviews?

Because no conclusion to the matter could be found in Council, Cllr. Botha suggested to divide the house and allow Councillors to vote on the fate of Cllr. Morris in an open vote. Councillors were to vote either for all charges against Cllr. Morris be dropped and the case to be seen as finalised or that Cllr. Morris be reported to the MEC and be removed from office.

The result of the voting came as a shock to members of the official opposition as they, together with COPE and the EFF, were the only parties voting for the removal of Cllr. Morris and that his removal be used as a warning to officials and other Councillors alike that corruption will not be tolerated in the Matjhabeng Municipality, while the ANC and FF Plus allowed that Cllr. Morris be exonerated of all charges and the matter laid to rest. Again, corruption is being shoved under the carpet and it is business as usual.

With the result of the vote of Cllr. Morris misconduct it is clear that only the Democratic Alliance cares about the residents of Matjhabeng and it is only the Democratic Alliance that will restore Matjhabeng to its previous glory.

Make sure you are registered to vote www.registertovote.co.za and vote for change.

For Enquiries Please contact
Cllr Maxie Badenhorst
083 654 9593

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