GOOD Statement by Keagen Gertse: GOOD Drakenstein Councillor & Caucus chairperson:
The GOOD Party in the Drakenstein Municipality has urgently written to the political and administrative leadership seeking clarity regarding allegations that a municipal traffic warden attempted to extort an Uber driver earlier this year, in June 2025.
It is alleged that the warden demanded money from the driver, and the passenger began recording the interaction, capturing the extortion attempt on video. The footage was submitted as evidence during a formal complaint process. GOOD followed up on the matter in the Public Safety Portfolio Committee, where it was confirmed by a municipal official that the video had been received and that an internal investigation was conducted.
GOOD has now learned that the same traffic warden is reportedly back in the employ of Drakenstein Municipality, performing his duties on the road once again, despite the existence of clear and compelling evidence of wrongdoing.
In our written submission, GOOD has demanded that the municipality clarify its official stance on this matter. Abuse of power, criminal conduct, and greed have no place in a society already plagued by extortion and mafia-style operations. This is especially unacceptable from a municipality that claims to uphold the highest standards of ethical and clean governance.
Furthermore, we have urged the municipality to disclose the status of its internal investigation and whether criminal charges will follow, given the availability of strong evidence in this case.
South Africa is being crippled by extortionists and mobsters who hold back development and infrastructure projects for personal gain. Too often, honest and hardworking citizens bear the brunt of this criminality, and in severe cases, pay with their lives.
If these allegations are true and if Drakenstein Municipality has indeed taken an unethical stance, residents deserve to know who is serving them on the roads and what kind of conduct they can expect from municipal officials. The municipality had an opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to clean governance, yet it appears that questionable behaviour continues to go unchecked.
GOOD has also noted similar conduct under former Mayor Alderman Conrad Poole and among DA ward councillors. The speed with which DA leadership closes ranks to protect its members undermines any claims of clean governance. Party-political interests are consistently prioritised over the well-being of residents.
Should these allegations be proven true, this traffic warden should be considered a threat to public safety. In June, it was an Uber driver making an honest living, tomorrow, it could be any resident of Drakenstein who falls victim to officials abusing power for personal gain.
GOOD Manifesto on Social Cohesion: Fostering social cohesion and unity among diverse communities.
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