Tshwane DA lays fraud charges against ANC for ‘forging signatures’

The Tshwane council wars have escalated to criminal proportions. In a statement released on Monday, the Democratic Alliance (DA) revealed that it has filed fraud charges against the African National Congress (ANC) caucus.

DA accuses ANC of forging signatures

According to the DA’s Deputy Chief Whip, Mpho Mehlape-Zimu, an investigation led by Tshwane council Speaker, Katlego Mathebe, has concluded that the ANC caucus allegedly forged signatures in the petition it, along with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), submitted for a special council meeting.

“During our internal investigation, we have confirmed that there are at least seven signatures that might appear to be forged and it is for this reason that we are approaching the SAPS to open fraud cases against the ANC Caucus,” Mehlape-Zimu noted.

After days of contestation, Mathebe had finally granted the ANC and EFF a date for the special council meeting. This, the Speaker claimed in a statement, was after the main opposition submitted a second petition.

“The two caucuses jointly submitted a new request with fresh signatures on 8 January at 13:49 requesting a Special Council Meeting for the same afternoon at 17:00. The Speaker declined to call the meeting within those tight timelines due to logistical inhibitions.

“Because the ANC and EFF failed to determine what would be a reasonable time for the meeting since her last correspondence to them on the 8 January, she has for the sake of progress decided to convene the requested Special Council Meeting,”

When is the Tshwane special council meeting?

Mehlape-Zimu has charged at the ANC for breaching the councillors’ code of conduct, claiming that “the alleged conduct of these public representatives is contrary to the very essence of what it means to be a public servant”.

While the ANC and EFF have been awarded the special council meeting which is expected to take place at the Tshwane House Council Chambers, at 10:00 on Thursday, 16 January, the DA stressed that these alleged acts of fraud should not be ignored.

“Criminal acts should be punished, and we will not allow the police to ignore this case. We will follow it up until it is finalised and the perpretators have been removed from public office,” Mehlape-Zimu added.