GOOD Statement by Chantelle Kyd,
GOOD George Councillor
18 October 2024
The GOOD party has filed a motion to the speaker of the George Municipality council to reopen an investigation into Deputy Mayor, Raybin Figland.
On the 26th of July, the council accepted a report that found there was not enough evidence to proceed with a disciplinary process against Figland due to insufficient evidence. It has since emerged that the DA’s own investigation, which concluded in February, found shocking prima facie evidence of serious misconduct.
An investigation by the Democratic Alliance’s Federal Legal Commission confirmed that Figland blackmailed a matriculant to provide nude photographs of a sexual nature. The Deputy Mayor threatened to expose the girl’s relationship with another boy to her parents if she did not comply.
The DA’s own investigation concluded that there is certainly prima facie evidence that Figland has ’committed an act of misconduct in terms of the Federal Constitution’ and ‘as a leader in the local executive government, Figland is expected to show uberrima fides in his conduct, the highest standard of good faith. Engaging in extortionist behaviour, regardless of the age of the person involved, does not meet this standard by any stretch of the imagination. He lies without hesitation and shows no sign of any embarrassment when caught out in his lies.’
The recommendations of the DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach, George Michalakis and Marius Victor go even one step further by suggesting the Party should consider possible transgression in terms of the Children’s Act 35 or Criminal Law Amendment Act 32 and that the matter be reported.
Following this report, the DA saw fit to suspend Figland from party duties whilst they investigated further. However they left him in a prominent position of power within the municipality.
GOOD believes we need a zero-tolerance approach. Extorting explicit images from a schoolgirl is improper conduct and unbecoming of a public office bearer.
The GOOD Party’s motion to the speaker, which has been seconded by the ANC, calls on the council to rescind the finding made during the 26 July council meeting; reopen the matter to include the Democratic Alliance’s Federal Legal Commission report and for the investigation to be done by an independent entity with no links to the council.
The DA has failed to protect the people of George. The council now has a duty to thoroughly investigate the allegations against Figland.
Media Enquiries:
Chantelle Kyd, GOOD George Councillor
Cell: 063 9854627
Email: chantelle.kyd@gmail.com
Samantha Jackson, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 083 5509875
Email: samantha@forgood.org.za