ID RESPONSE TO ALLEGED RACIST EMAIL FROM ACTING MM OF STELLENBOSCH MUNICIPALITY

Gerhard Ras, an ID Spokesperson for Local Government in the Western Cape says the ID ‘has taken note of the so-called hoax email allegedly transmitted by the Acting Municipal Manager, Duppie Du Plessis, of Stellenbosch Municipality (see report).

‘The ID condemns the extremely racist nature of the wording in the said email and if the authenticity of the email is confirmed, demands that heads must roll,' Mr Ras says.

‘Whilst the ID agrees with Premier Helen Zille that this matter should be independently investigated, we are concerned about the extent to which the DA-led provincial government can claim independence in a matter that allegedly involves the DA.

‘The ID is furthermore extremely concerned about the negative reference to its Councillor, John Andrews, in the email, also because Andrews is currently the subject of a disciplinary action within the ID,' says Ras.

‘It is therefore of paramount importance that the so-called independent investigation be concluded swiftly to ensure that the truth herein be brought to the fore and that justice prevails in the Andrews matter.

‘The very personal tone of the email to the MEC for Local Government, Anton Bredell, and his subsequent denial on the basis that the email could not have come from Du Plessis because Bredell "knows Du Plessis' style of writing", is a further cause for concern,' Ras says.

‘Du Plessis' statement in today's Cape Times that he was employed by the Stellenbosch Municipality only after 8 March 2010 is also questionable and requires clarification.

‘As a coalition partner in the Stellenbosch Municipality, the ID wants to know exactly when Du Plessis was employed.

‘We also want to know whether he was employed by resolution of the Council and seconded to Stellenbosch Municipality by the Provincial Government and if so, in which provincial department he worked prior to his deployment to Stellenbosch Municipality,' says Ras.

‘In the meantime the ID will also probe the matter through its structures and sources to ensure that the truth comes out.'

Statement issued by the Independent Democrats, April 8 2010

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