Dear Editor
The DA in the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality has laid criminal charges against an ANC councillor who is allegedly orchestrating an illegal land invasion in Kroonvale in Graaff-Reinet.
DA Cllr Sakkie Van Zyl, has opened a case of fraud against the ANC councillor for allegedly misrepresenting himself as a person with authority to act on behalf of the municipality in terms of the alienation of land. (see pictures here and here)
We are in possession of a voice note, circulated on social media, in which the ANC councillor urges residents to join him in taking possession of a municipal property for the purposes of constructing houses. We are also aware that the ANC councillor convened a community meeting in which residents were urged to complete application forms for plots on the land in question.
The municipality issued a notice on their official Facebook page in which they acknowledged that a councillor is encouraging residents to occupy the land and further advised residents that they would be approaching the High Court to prevent such occupation.
DA Dr Beyers Naude Chief Whip, Cllr Ricardo Smith, has written to the Speaker of the municipality to request that he launch an urgent investigation into the ANC councillor for allegedly contravening the code of conduct. In addition, I have written to MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Zolile Williams, to request that he consider suspending the councillor pending the finalisation of the investigation.
DA Caucus Chairperson, Cllr Joy Williams, has written to the Municipal Manager, Dr Edward Rankwana, urging his administration to take all action necessary to protect the land from an unlawful occupation. We will further be requesting an urgent briefing by the Department of Human Settlements to the Council on the status of housing projects for the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality.
The DA is deeply concerned that residents, desperate for houses, will fall prey to this illegal scheme and invade the land. Once this happens, the municipality will be obliged to take action which could ultimately result in them suffering a great loss.
It is typical of the ANC to resort to dishonest tactics that will be detrimental to the poorest of our residents in a desperate attempt to shore up votes in the lead up to the 2024 national and provincial elections. We will not allow our people to be used as voting fodder. South Africans deserve better.
Regards
Samantha Graham-Maré MP
Dr Beyers Naude Constituency Leader