STATEMENT ON BEHALF THE ANC ON THE CORRUPTION IN THE EDEN DISTRICT

Yesterday the ANC and the NPP, in particular councillor Ewerts, made known the serious situation of the DA buying votes in the Eden District municipality.

We have read the statements by the Hon Botha in today's newspapers in which he denies any knowledge of the matter. We would caution him to think very carefully before he makes any other statements on this matter, as there is still more to come out and he may be more involved than he makes out (see here).

Today we can reveal that person who voted with the DA in the same council meeting, from the ranks of the ANC, is former ANC councillor and member Berenice Le Roux. Ms Le Roux was also promised something for her vote a position in the Health department in Cape Town and the DA promised to pay for her daughter's studies

The ANC has had sight of an email in which DA councillor P Du Plessis complains to another DA councillor H McCombi that instead of taking the job the DA offered her in a government department in Cape Town, Le Roux is demanding a position in the mayoral committee of the Eden District Municipality. Du Plessis is concerned that long serving DA councillors are being overlooked and the position is being given to a traitor from the ANC.

Further, we are in possession of an affidavit from Le Roux wherein she confirms that Mr Noemdoe, the PA of the DA Speaker of the Eden District, jokingly said that he handed over R10,000 to Mr Ewerts. Inadvertently, Ms Le Roux is confirming the facts as explained to the press yesterday by Mr Ewerts.

We warn the DA and its leader in the Western Cape, the Hon Botha:

1. Do not attempt to remove this email from the email system of the Eden District. Any attempt to do so will be known to us and will be evidence that the cover up has begun.

2. We are watching closely the future moves of Berenice Le Roux. Any attempt to pay her for her vote will be exposed.

3. Make public this email and the other parts of the deal you have made before this becomes further egg on your face.

We call on the MEC for Local Government to institute an immediate investigation by an independent body on this matter. The matter is already with the police and your failure to act will result in the public questioning your commitment to transparency and fighting corruption.

Statement issued by Max Ozinsky, African National Congress Western Cape, August 18 2009

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