Registrar urges further scrutiny of lavish party

THE registrar of members’ interests in the Western Cape legislature has recommended “further scrutiny” of acting DA provincial leader Bonginkosi Madikizela’s lavish birthday party in March.

This comes after Madikizela pleaded ignorance to most aspects of the party, which was held at Cape Town’s swanky five-star One and Only Hotel.

Registrar Romeo Maasdorp found that Madikizela “improperly placed the norm between him and his friends [regarding gifts] above the duty-bound obligation visited upon him by the prescripts of the code of conduct” of the legislature.

He recommended a probe into why Madikizela’s R3 000 cake – a gift – was not declared. In addition he said they should investigate all the other party courtesies and gifts‚ who funded the party and the nature of their relationship with Madikizela.

On Friday‚ the legislature’s conduct committee agreed to continue its investigation into Madikizela’s conduct at its next sitting on August 18.

The postponement ignited friction between DA chief whip Mark Wiley and committee chairman Lennit Max, who will be Madikizela’s opponent for the provincial leadership at the elective DA provincial congress in October.

Wiley wanted to expedite the matter‚ but Max granted Maasdorp’s request for further investigation.

Max also encouraged Maasdorp to extend his probe to‚ for instance‚ questioning the hotel management.

Wiley stopped a discussion about the role of Madikizela’s partner‚ Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo, in the matter, due to time constraints.

ANC MPLs Pierre Uys and Richard Dyantyi called for full disclosure.