Hawks’ quest for answers ‘bad timing’
PLETTENBERG BAY – Allegations have been made by ANC Bitou Councillor Thembela Mhlana that the Hawks were used to prevent a vote of no confidence in the DA-led coalition's mayor, deputy mayor and whip.
According to a statement by the Mhlana family, the Hawks took Mhlana and his wife to the Plettenberg Bay Police Station for questioning shortly before the start of the special council meeting during which the vote was to take place.
The meeting, scheduled for 09:00 on Friday 2 February, was delayed after the ANC requested a caucus break because of Mhlana’s absence. Mhlana’s vote was critical to the majority vote to pass the motions of no confidence.
Mhlana was at a meeting of the ANC caucus at the Plett Quarter Hotel at about 08:45 on Friday. The council meeting was held down the road at the Bitou council chambers.
Bad timing
The Mhlanas question the timing of the Hawks Priority Crime Unit's intervention, and how they knew about the ANC meeting at the hotel. The ANC meeting started at 07:00 and the Hawks arrived at 08:45, ‘ostensibly’ to seek information about allegations of corruption levelled at Mhlana, which involve his wife, a former Bitou municipal employee.
In the statement the Mhlana family say, "On 2 February 2024 the DA in the Bitou Municipality suffered a devastating blow when it was ousted from government by the ANC-majority coalition in Plettenberg Bay. In the historical council meeting that had three caucus breaks before the vote, it came down to seven against six votes in the 13-seat council.
“This almost did not materialise after the Hawks suddenly arrived in town, whisking off ANC Councillor Thembela Mhlana and his wife to the police station for 'mandatory' questioning."
The Mhlana statement said it "was clearly a political strategy designed to keep the DA in power and deny the ANC coalition its crucial majority vote."
Practice within ANC?
Helen Zille, federal chair of the DA, responded, "This is insane. Are you suggesting that the DA would ever instruct the Hawks what to do? I do not know if any charges have been laid against Mr Mhlana, or by whom. But the DA would never abuse the law and due process for political gain. It shows you how other parties work when they can even suspect that the DA might be doing this. It is disgraceful".
Bitou Constituency Head for the DA Cathy Labuschagne said the party cannot instruct the Hawks to arrest anyone.
"The DA had no knowledge of this situation beforehand. The fact that the ANC states that the DA played political games and would therefore misuse the law, could be seen as an indication that this might be a practice within the ANC itself. According to our knowledge the municipality did not lay charges against the councillor."
Clarity statement
The statement from the Mhlana family said it was asked to provide a "clarity affidavit" regarding a R2 000 payment made by Mhlana to his wife almost four years ago, which apparently had to be declared.
"This is obviously completely misconceived since Ms Mhlana has never been employed as a councillor or senior manager and there was never any duty on her to declare money received from her husband."
They allege the Hawks failed to inform the couple what the charges are and "they still haven't been forthcoming with any information about this case after inquiries made by the family's lawyer afterwards".
The Mhlanas claim they are the target of a political campaign and that state institutions are being used to intimidate them. They say the allegations against Mhlana are baseless and that he is committed to the democratic process.
In with the new
The meeting eventually started at 11:00 and the motions of no confidence in then mayor Dave Swart (DA), then deputy mayor Mavis Busakwe (UAP), and Annelise Olivier (DA), the then whip, were carried.
The top four new leadership are Mayor Claude Terblanche (PDC), Deputy Mayor Noksi Kolwapi (IPM), Whip Samkele Mangxaba (ANC) and Speaker Sandiso Gcibayi (ANC).
Lt Col Siyabulela Vukubi, spokesperson for the Hawks in the Western Cape, said there is an ongoing investigation by the Hawks. "I am not at liberty to dwell much on this at this stage."