Statement: George investigation Update

22 January 2020

The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, Anton Bredell has noted comments made today by opposition parties in the province pertaining to the George Municipality and seemingly seeking to cast aspersions on the minister’s intent to root out corruption.

The minister would refer the media to a press release dated 4 April 2019 addressing the points made by some opposition parties today. For the record here is the information copied directly here from the April 2019 statement for your convenience:

‘The Provincial Government is in fact fully aware of the allegations pertaining to a possible investment scheme at the George Municipality. A criminal matter has been reported to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) in George – known as the Hawks. The DPCI office in George can be contacted for further information. In addition, the Municipality has procured the services of a forensic firm to investigate the allegations.’

“It appears some opposition political parties have little to occupy their time with in the Western Cape and therefore attempt to score cheap political points by grandstanding. I would urge politicians to act responsibly and at the very least desist from spreading unverified rumours. My department and myself are always available to any member of the public including opposition politicians who are genuinely interested in moving the province and the country forward. I invite anyone with concerns about corruption to approach me at any time. As we have clearly demonstrated, we do not sit idly by in the Western Cape and we act without fear or favour. We also firmly believe in sticking to the rule of law and not play acting in the court of public opinion.”

Bredell has further called upon the national government to better capacitate the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to ensure criminal activity is speedily and thoroughly addressed.

“My department has over the past ten years called the Hawks and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in to investigate several cases in several municipalities across the province but with little to no outcomes to date. And in fact, the head of the NPA, adv. Shamila Batohi stated in parliament in October 2019 that: the SIU had reported 293 nationwide cases of corruption and fraud at municipalities to the NPA, cases of which the NPA was only able to handle nine. This is obviously a major concern if we wish to make real headway against wrongdoers in our municipal system,” says Bredell.

ENDS.