Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Igor Scheurkogel and Sesotho by Jafta Mokoena MPL.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes the arrest of Matjhabeng Local Municipality Mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipa on charges of assault and crimen injuria after allegedly attacking his bodyguard.
Although the DA, accepts that Khalipa will only be guilty of a criminal offence once proven guilty, the following must be noted:
- There is no reason why the Council cannot embark on a separate process to investigate any breach of the code of conduct for councillors;
- That the charges brought against Khalipa reflect poorly on the municipality; and
- That the person allegedly assaulted was a staff member.
We have previously highlighted various other code of conduct violations against the Mayor including that Khalipa allegedly attempted to force municipal staff to use working hours and municipal resources to campaign for the ANC.
The Code of Conduct for councillors states the: General conduct of councillors: “A councillor must- (a) perform the functions of office in good faith, honestly and in a transparent manner; and (b) at all times act in the best interest of the municipality and in such a way that the credibility and integrity of the municipality are not compromised.”
In light of the above, and the interest of the integrity of the institution – the DA calls on the ANC to act in the interest of the residents by invoking their step-aside rule.
The DA will write to the Speaker of Council to request the establishment of an ad hoc committee to look into the possible breach of the Code of Conduct by the Mayor as stated by the code of conduct: Breaches of Code:(1) If the speaker of a municipal council, on reasonable suspicion, is of the opinion that a provision of this Code has been breached, the speaker must-
(a) authorise an investigation of the facts and circumstances of the alleged breach;
(b) give the councillor a reasonable opportunity to reply in writing regarding the alleged breach; and
(c) report the matter to a meeting of the municipal council after paragraphs (a) and (b) have been complied with.
On 29 May residents of Matjhabeng have the opportunity to rescue South Africa from the ANC to ensure that people are put first and get the services they pay for.