STATEMENT BY BRETT HERRON, GOOD MEMBER OF THE WESTREN CAPE PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT AND SECRETARY-GENERAL
6 JULY 2020
GOOD SUPPORTS CALL FOR INVESTIGATION OF WESTERN CAPE PUBLIC PROTECTOR
The GOOD Party supports the call by the Leader of the Opposition in the Western Cape Parliament for Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane to investigate why the head of the Western Cape Public Protector’s office, Adv Sune’ Griessel, is failing to investigate complaints lodged with her office.
In terms of the Executive Ethics Act the Public Protector is required to investigate a complaint of an alleged breach of the Executive Code of Ethics by a Minister or MEC and report to the Premier or President within 30 days.
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In April 2019 GOOD Leader Patricia De Lille lodged a complaint about a VBS-style kickback scheme in George involving a DA councillor whose son received a financial benefit from the unlawful investment of municipal funds with Old Mutual. I have since submitted additional information about the DA’s attempt to “capture” the town of George to the National Public Protector, requesting that the national office takes over the investigation.
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In July 2019, GOOD lodged three more complaints for investigation relating to: The disposal of sites in the Bo-Kaap that made up St Monica’s home; the under-valuation and sale of Site B in the Foreshore; and the inflated valuation of the Salt River Market site earmarked for affordable housing. None of this has been investigated.
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In November 2019 I hand delivered a complaint against MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela – for wilfully misleading parliament which is a breach of the Executive Ethics Code – to the Western Cape Public Protector’s office. I have not heard from the Office of the Public Protector since. On 8 June 2020 I couriered a copy of the original complaint to the National Public Protector requesting that her office does the investigation since her Western Cape office appears unwilling or unable to do so.
I have lost all confidence in the impartiality and capacity of the Western Cape Public Protector’s office to conduct investigations of maladministration in the Western Cape.
Last week I lodged two new complaints, about the failure of Premier Winde and MEC Bredell to conduct themselves in terms Executive Ethics Code for their actions in relation to the town of Oudtshoorn. I sent these directly to the National Public Protector with a specific request that she does not refer them to the Western Cape office.
Ends…