I want to clear my name, says ANC’s Smith
EMBATTLED ANC Member of the Western Cape Provincial Legislature Danville Smith has maintained his innocence after he stepped down as per the party's national resolution, while corruption charges hang over his head.
His move has been welcomed by opposition parties in the province, which said people deserve “leaders of integrity”.
Smith has an ongoing case at the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on corruption-related charges.
It stems from an investigation by the Hawks into irregularities at the Cederberg Municipality during his tenure as Ward 5 (Lambert's Bay) councillor.
He is expected to appear again on May 19.
At a press conference yesterday, Smith said he had decided to step aside voluntarily, with immediate effect.
“I have written to the provincial coordinator and convenor of the interim provincial committee of the ANC to inform them of my decision. I am innocent of these charges. They are false. I will never engage nor condone acts of corruption. But I welcome the opportunity, and perhaps the only opportunity, to clear my name in a court of law,” he said.
The ANC in the province has called on party members who face charges to follow Smith's lead and step aside.
“We will follow a thorough process in implementing the step-aside policy. In this, we will be guided by fairness.
“We will not conduct a witch-hunt. However, we urge those members who believe that they are affected to step aside,” the party said.
EFF provincial spokesperson Wandile Kasibe said the party welcomed Smith's decision.
“Our people deserve to be led by leaders of integrity who are not aloof from the aspirations of our people,” he said.
SACP provincial secretary Benson Ngqentsu said the notion of step-aside must not be used as a “mere public relations exercise” but a demonstration of commitment from the part of the ANC to cleanse itself of “corrupt counter-revolutionary elements”.
“We further challenge the ANC in the province to take its alliance partners into its confidence about the list of implicated comrades,” said Ngqentsu.
DA acting provincial leader Albert Fritz said the party would soon write to the Speaker of the legislature “to enquire which steps are available to the legislature to deal with the matter”.
As per guidelines by the ANC for the voluntary step-aside policy, Smith said even though not a member of the political committee, he would remain a member of the provincial legislature representing the ANC. He said would continue attending sittings of the legislature and its committees but would not speak in these and would continue to vote on behalf of the organisation as directed by the ANC caucus, through the office of the chief whip.