ANC warns DA against destabilising conduct committee

THE ANC demands that the DA immediately stop political interference in and destabilisation of the Western Cape legislature’s conduct committee. A number of key resignations followed undue political pressure, manipulation and meddling.

This follows the sudden departure of Lennit Max as chairperson of the legislature’s conduct committee and the quitting of Romeo Maasdorp as the important registrar of members’ interests after his position was advertised as vacant without following proper procedure. These are serious signs of the level of interference and gravity.

The ANC says everyone can now see there is a concerted effort to cover up after the place-keeping DA provincial leader Bonginkosi Madikizela accepted and enjoyed a suspect lavish birthday bash in a posh Cape Town hotel.

Madikizela (human settlements MEC and leader of government business in the legislature) admitted he broke the law by not declaring the hospitality and/or his gifts to the legislature.

It was also revealed his partner, Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo, too was showered with an extravagant party in another expensive hotel.

At least one donor confirmed the sponsorship of these events with gifts and hospitality.

ANC Western Cape leader of the opposition, Khaya Magaxa, says: “The ANC wants to get to the bottom of this scandal. It is clear from legislature records that Madikizela and Mbombo did not declare these benefits as required. That feeds speculation that something unbecoming took place and warranted the conduct committee to investigate the matter as mandated in legislation.

“The Western Cape code of conduct act is clear that all members must declare their interests. Both MECs must account. DA premier Helen Zille must also come clean as both are in her hand-picked inner circle.

“The whole saga blows up in Zille’s face as she also acted to protect Madikizela – and a damning report by the independent registrar surfaced at this investigative committee. The Western Cape deserves better than ongoing corrupt actions and shady dealings.”

The ANC also noted that this was the second chairperson of the conduct committee of the DA who had been forced out. It said that before Max, Denis Joseph had been taken from the committee when the DA could not get its way with him. The DA had undermined the committee just when there was something tangible against one of its members in an investigation. “It is always when somebody of the DA is under fire. The DA ran away from properly investigating Zille and even Patricia de Lille. Even DA chief whip Mark Wiley is investigated and is it any wonder that he presently leads the charge against his own members and to collapse the conduct committee?

“Why is Zille allowed to freely influence DA members if she has been banned by her national leader Mmusi Maimane from decision-making processes of the party?” Magaxa added.