GOOD Statement by Keagen Gertse,
GOOD Drakenstein Councillor & Caucus Whip
23 August 2023
The GOOD party is saddened by the decision of council speaker, Koos Le Roux, not to grant a special council meeting in response to corruption allegations against Mayor Conrad Poole.
GOOD, with the support of other opposition parties, submitted a request to the office of the speaker to urgently debate the matter in council as part of the council’s responsibility to provide oversight over the mayor and his mayoral committee.
The GOOD party had previously requested an investigation into Mayor Conrad Poole and members of his executive after sources revealed they are facing an internal DA investigation following allegations of a pay-for-jobs scheme.
The speaker has responded by saying the allegations are under investigation by his office and are sub judice. He adds “I cannot allow any discussion in Council that could impede my assessment of the reasonability of the suspicion or compromise the process”.
However, the speaker’s investigation should not limit the council’s Constitutional right to hold local government accountable.
The merits of the debate were not to discuss whether Poole is guilty of an offence or not. It was to determine whether the office of the speaker, members of the mayoral committee and the DA caucus in Drakenstein can confirm, or deny, whether the mayor is being investigated and if so, for what charges.
Residents of this municipality should know if their number one resident can be trusted with managing a budget of R3.4-billion and that his hands are clean.
It remains the Democratic Alliance’s responsibility to inform the people if they are investigating the mayor.
The responding statement by DA interim Provincial leader Tertius Simmers has neither confirmed nor denied the allegations against Mayor Poole, and that in itself leaves room for grievous concern.
The speaker’s office should have granted a special council meeting and allowed opposition parties to field their questions.
Considering that the DA portrays itself as the moral authority of society, its refusal to grant opposition parties a platform against alleged wrongdoing speaks volumes.
It is becoming evident the DA will cast aside its own values, just to protect an individual.
Media Enquiries:
Keagen Gertse, GOOD Drakenstein Councillor & Caucus Whip
Cell: 081 063 7749
Email: keagengertse@gmail.com
Samantha Jackson, GOOD Acting Media Manager
Cell: 083 550 9875
Email: media@forgood.org.za