George Municipality: Corruption and Contempt

GOOD Statement by Rosa Louw, GOOD George Municipality Councillor:

The GOOD Party welcomes the Speaker’s courage in tabling the report exposing shocking allegations of corruption and manipulation of supply chain management (SCM) processes in the George Municipality. This matter dates back to June 2023, under the leadership of then-Mayor Leon van Wyk and Municipal Manager Michele Gratz. That context alone raises serious red flags about oversight and accountability during that period.

The report details disturbing conduct, including:

• Councillor Dirk Wessels sourcing quotes from an apprentice;
• Councillor Marlene Barnardt sourcing quotes from Salinas in Wilderness, a business located in her own ward.

Following this, municipal SCM processes appear to have been deliberately manipulated.

The GOOD Party raises the following urgent concerns:

• Why has this matter only come to light now?
• How long has the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) been aware of these irregularities?
• Why have no criminal charges been opened against those implicated?
• Why are corruption charges not being investigated?
• Why has the Speaker of the Legislature not been formally informed, especially considering that Dirk Wessels is now a Member of Parliament?

GOOD will not stand by while corruption is swept under the rug. We will file formal criminal charges. This matter must receive the attention it deserves, both at a municipal and national level.

Furthermore, we believe officials, particularly the CFO, must also be held accountable. Legally, the CFO is required to report financial irregularities to the Council within a specified timeframe. The apparent failure to do so demands consequence management.

This is not the action of a lone individual, this is a coordinated breach of public trust.
GOOD demands transparency, accountability, and justice.

GOOD Digital Transformation: GOOD supports the use of technology to improve government services.

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