Police probe crimen injuria claim by Dugmore against DA provincial leader Simmers
THE ongoing spat between the ANC’s Cameron Dugmore and DA provincial leader, Tertuis Simmers has now turned the subject of a police probe.
Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie confirmed Calitzdorp police were investigating a crimen injuria complaint lodged by Dugmore against Simmers on Wednesday.
“It is alleged that the suspect made a post on a social media platform during August this year with the accusation that the complainant misused funds from his political party.
“The docket will be submitted to the senior public prosecutor for a decision,” he said.
Dugmore said this was in relation to defamatory remarks allegedly made by Simmers via WhatsApp messages with another councillor in Kannaland. “In that conversation … on social media he accuses me of having knowledge of looting of funds by the ANC. This is a lie and defamatory. That’s why I laid crimen injuria charge against him,” he said.
Dugmore has also accused Simmers of meddling in the appointment of former George CFO Keith Jordaan as acting municipal manager in Kannaland.
Simmers has dismissed the claims, saying the appointment was approved by a majority vote of the Kannaland Council. “When one relies on odd snippets of conversation … one is certain to miscarry spectacularly. I, on the other hand, have a complete record of all communications relating to the abject mismanagement of Kannaland since February.
“The facts, contained in statements by the Kannaland acting MM and the Speaker, and manifested in the MM’s appointment by a majority vote of the Kannaland Council and the sole DA member absent for illness, make a mockery of Dugmore’s farcical claims.”
Jordaan yesterday said: “My comment is I have commented numerous times on a repeated question couched in different words every time.”