DA lifts suspension on Naik
Ilse Schoonraad
The Democratic Alliance welcomed George Mayor Melvin Naik back into the fold after suspending him from the party for 60 days at the end of May.
MEC of Local Government Anton Bredell, who is also the provincial chairman of the DA, says they have heard nothing from the Hawks regarding their investigation into allegations of tender irregularities implicating the mayor, thus compelling the party to reinstate Naik's DA membership last week. "We have not received any feedback from the Hawks since the raid on the George Municipality in April. Anyone is innocent until proven guilty and although our initial forensic investigation justified handing the information to the Hawks, the hard evidence has to come from them."
Bredell says he has no idea when the Hawks' investigation will be completed.
"I do not want to keep asking for information as it can be construed as political interference. We had hoped that by now we would have received a report from the Hawks. The drawn-out investigation raises concerns regarding their forensic capacity. The Hawks do not even have one chartered accountant in their employ. Currently seven of our municipalities are under investigation, and we need answers. When investigations drag on it is unfair to all involved - those being investigated, the public, the particular municipality and the ruling party. It is counterproductive to the DA's drive to root out corruption."
Investigation 'on track'
Hawks spokesperson Captain Philani Nkwalase said on Wednesday that the George investigation is at an advanced stage, but that he cannot say when it will be finalised. "This was a search and seizure operation and therefore lots of hard copy as well as electronic communication needs to be scrutinised with a fine-toothed comb.
A specialised unit focuses on the IT side of things and it takes a lot of time to make sure we unearth all relevant correspondence. Our interest is not only arrest, but successful conviction."
Coup plot
Naik was suspended from the DA after allegedly masterminding an unsuccessful plot to overthrow the ruling DA council in George following the Hawks' raid.
At the time of Naik's suspension, the DA Federal Legal Commission (FLC) alleged that at a secret meeting held on 20 May, Naik tried to convince a group of DA councillors to overthrow the DA with the help of the ANC. The FLC obtained information that Naik tried to convince these councillors to support an opposition vote of no confidence in both Deputy Mayor Charlotte Clarke and Speaker Gerrit Pretorius.
The motion of no confidence was tabled earlier in May by the ANC and discussed at a council meeting on 31 May.
The ANC withdrew the motion when it became clear the vote would take place through a public show of hands. According to Bredell the FLC is handling the matter and Naik's hearing in this regard is taking place mid-August.
But this is not the end of the mayor's woes. The DA is also investigating allegations that Naik aired homophobic views on the local radio station, Heartbeat FM, in June.
No comment from Naik
In response to a request for comment from Naik regarding the lifting of his suspension, his executive secretary forwarded the e-mail Naik received on 26 July from the DA provincial leader, Bonginkosi Madikizela, informing him that their Provincial Executive Committee had decided to end his suspension with immediate effect on 23 July. No further comment was received.