GOOD Statement by Keagen Gertse,
GOOD Drakenstein Councillor & Caucus Whip
16 September 2024
The GOOD Party has written to the Western Cape Provincial MEC for Local Government, Anton Bredell, calling for an investigation into the alleged breaches of the Councillors Code of Conduct by Executive Mayor, in terms of Sect. 106 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 2000.
This request comes after GOOD made a formal complaint to the Speaker of Council, Koos Le Roux, after Mayor Stephen Korabie. conducted an unlawful investigation into allegations of gross and serious misconduct by the City Manager, Dr. Johan Leibbrandt.
As expected, the Speaker found that no reasonable suspicion exists that the Mayor contravened the Code and subsequently dismissed GOOD’s complaint.
GOOD identified a number of discrepancies with how the Mayor handled the complaint in addition to him going against regulations by conducting an unsanctioned investigation.
The regulations are clear on the procedures for handling complaints against senior managers and the Mayor does not have the power to investigate; such a responsibility is vested in council.
GOOD believes sidestepping the rules was intentional and that the Office of the City Manager and the Office of the Executive Mayor are colluding on the matter.
Morever, the Speaker denied that the Mayor investigated the complaint despite the fact that Korabie’s official response indicated that this was the case.
GOOD no longer believes in the independence of internal processes in the DA-led Drakenstein as the political elite have shown they are above the rules and laws they so dutifully claim to protect.
We therefore request that the MEC investigate the failure of the Municipality leadership to comply with the Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers and thus committing gross maladministration.
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