Response to Western Cape ANC allegations

Stellenbosch Acting Municipal Manager, Mr Du Plessis, says the allegations made today by the Western Cape ANC are based on a fraudulent email. Mr Du Plessis denies using the Stellenbosch Municipality email system for any correspondence and using demeaning or insulting language. Minister Bredell also denies receiving the alleged email.

This notwithstanding, any serious allegations of this nature must be independently investigated and the facts determined.

The Acting Director-General, Brent Gerber, has briefed the Premier on the allegations and she has instructed him to appoint an independent investigator to determine the authenticity of the email in question.

Stellenbosch Municipality has undertaken to make all of their relevant IT systems available for this purpose and the Acting Director General will ensure that the Provincial Government does likewise.

If the allegations are proved to be true in any way, serious and far-reaching disciplinary steps will follow. If the email is found to be fraudulent, as Mr Du Plessis maintains, further action will be taken against the ANC.  Either way, we will take immediate action whatever the outcome of the investigation.

Statement issued by Nick Clelland-Stokes, Director of Communications, Western Cape provincial government, April 7 2010

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