De Lille slams timing of R5m bribery claim

Mayor denies being informed of criminal charges against her by the DA, but ‘will cooperate’.

Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille, pictured, yesterday denied being informed of criminal charges laid against her by the Democratic Alliance and pledged to cooperate with police in any investigation.

But she questioned the timing of the charges.

“Based on media reports, it has come to my attention that criminal charges have apparently been laid against me by the Democratic Alliance,” she said in a statement.

“I have not been formally notified of these charges by the SA Police Service. Should criminal charges have been laid against me, I will cooperate openly and transparently. I deny and reject the reported allegations with the contempt it deserves.”

According to media reports, the criminal charges came after a Vanderbijlpark businessperson claimed she asked for a payment in relation to a potential deal involving fire extinguishers. “It’s believed the mayor asked for R5 million from [businessperson] Anthony Faul,” EWN reported.

De Lille said the timing of this latest move raised questions, such as “why this man Anthony Faul is conveniently coming forward now, when the DA is charging me for other matters?”

“First, why did he go to the DA instead of going to the police? Why did he wait almost five years? This seems to be the latest of a string of moves to taint my name by clutching at anything and informing the media before allegations are properly tested.

“I have repeatedly asked for a fair process, yet the handling of this matter and the treatment towards me are clearly attempts to sway public perception against me, instead of giving me a fair opportunity to state my case and to test the allegations properly.

“It is becoming increasingly obvious that the concerted efforts to damage my reputation and the haste to get rid of me is reaching desperate heights each day.” –