Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Ward councillor’s troubles pile up
HANOVER Park ward councillor Antonio van der Rheede faced disciplinary hearings this week, just weeks after he was arrested and charged for allegedly raping a young woman who claims he promised her work opportunities.
This week, new grievances were also submitted and signed by the Hanover Park Concerned Residents Committee Against Gangsterism and Injustices.
A copy of the memorandum of new grievances was sent to City of Cape Town Speaker Felicity Purchase.
Van der Rheede was arrested last month after a 27-year-old resident claimed he had allegedly raped her at his offices while apparently offering her job opportunities in law enforcement.
Van der Rheede spent three nights in a police cell and appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court, where he was granted R1 000 bail.
Outside court, he claimed the allegations were a smear campaign and propaganda to ruin his political agenda.
This week, the City, together with Purchase’s office, confirmed that Van der Rheede was undergoing disciplinary proceedings.
Luthando Tyhalibongo, the City’s spokesperson, said they could not divulge much at this stage. “The Disciplinary Committee continues to perform its duties. We cannot make public statements until such time the process has been concluded. Once an outcome is achieved, it will be reported to Council on the open agenda.
Purchase confirmed Van der Rheede was to undergo disciplinary hearings.
DA communications director, Richard Newton, said the investigation was under way and that the criminal case would be monitored.
“This matter has been referred to the Federal Legal Committee to keep a watching brief, pending the finalisation of the criminal proceedings.
“Thereafter, the matter will be dealt with accordingly.
The list of grievances includes: that there were no youth or sports and recreation seats and that the education seat was given to the wife of another ward committee member – nepotism.
In the memorandum, they claimed that Van der Rheede was corrupt while being the chairperson of ward 47, and that he had also abused his powers.
They called for disciplinary action to be taken against him.
Earlier this year, 19 grievances were also made against the councillor by the community on allegations of misappropriation of funds and manipulation of EPWP contracts.
Van der Rheede was approached by
for comment and was referred to his spokesperson, Natalie Jardine. She previously told the newspaper that they were not at liberty to comment as the case was in court until such time it was finalised.