GOOD Statement by Katriena Robyn,
GOOD Councillor and Executive Mayor of Witzenberg Municipality
12 December 2023
The GOOD party in Witzenberg is outraged by yet another case of abuse of office by Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Anton Bredell, through his interference in Council business.
In a recent letter, the MEC indicated that he had designated a person to call for a special meeting to be convened on Thursday, 14 December 2023. This, he stated, was based on Section 29(1)(A) of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act.
While the relevant section does set out how and when the MEC can designate a person to chair a special council meeting, it also makes it clear that the Speaker must first have refused to convene a meeting for this designation to take place.
The Speaker Cllr P Heradien, has unequivocally expressed that he has not refused to convene any meeting or any request made by the majority of Councillors.
The MEC is therefore interfering in Council business and acting beyond the scope of his powers prescribed by the above section.
Moreover, the DA has been actively trying to prevent Council business from proceeding by staying away from previous meetings scheduled to discuss allegations against its former Mayor, Hennie Smit, and Speaker Elizabeth Sedigo.
This latest illegal move by Bredell is purely aimed at convening a special meeting in an attempt to once again change leadership in the Municipality and bring back his DA cadres.
I have therefore, in my capacity as Mayor, written to the MEC, to dispute that the conditions which empower him to intervene do not exist and his interference is invalid. If he persists with his abuse of office for DA purposes we will proceed to instruct attorneys.
Media Enquiries:
Katriena Robyn, GOOD Councillor and Executive Mayor of Witzenberg Municipality
Cell: 078 302 3061
Email: jplrobyn@gmail.com
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 073 367 1223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za