GOOD Statement by Keagen Gertse,
GOOD Drakenstein Councillor & Caucus Whip
28 August 2024
The GOOD party in Drakenstein has submitted a formal request to the Speaker of Council, Ald. Koos Le Roux, for council to investigate Executive Mayor Stephen Korabie.
The request stems from the investigation sanctioned by the Mayor’s office into allegations of gross misconduct, including racism and sexual harassment, by the City Manager, Dr. Johan Leibbrandt.
The Mayor did not have the power to probe this matter.
GOOD believes that Mayor Korabie negligently applied the rules and regulations, misled council on the circumstances around the complaint, and acted improperly and with bias towards the complainant.
The Mayor’s interpretation of the regulations is not only inaccurate but also constitutes gross misconduct and violates his Executive Oath of Office.
This disregard for the rules should also be considered as collusion between the Office of the Mayor and the Office of the City Manager.
His actions mandate council to activate Section 14(1)(b) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act demanding that a special committee be appointed to investigate Cllr. Stephen Korabie.
The Drakenstein Municipality, under the leadership of the DA, failed the women in this administration who depend on the law to protect them from this kind of behaviour.
South Africa is amongst the countries with the highest Gender-based Violence and Femicide statistics.
While Drakenstein adopted a 365-day policy on GBV as a measurement to fight this scourge, it seems the Municipality has been left wanting to deal with it internally.
Media enquiries:
Keagen Gertse, GOOD Drakenstein Councillor & Caucus Whip
Cell: 081 063 7749
Email: keagengertse@gmail.com
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 073 367 1223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za