FORMER National People’s Party (NPP) leader and would-be Witzenberg mayor Badih Chaaban has lodged a criminal complaint against DA provincial chairperson Anton Bredell, accusing him of corruption.
Chaaban’s complaint stems from a failed deal between the ANC and three other smaller parties on the Witzenberg council, including Chaaban’s NPP, to take over power in the municipality.
Chaaban claims he was “robbed” of the mayoral chain, after the DA “hijacked” the Voice of Independents Party (VIP), convincing the party’s leader, John Verschini, to instead go into coalition with the DA at the end of 2014.
The colourful former politician claims Bredell bribed Verschini with R20 000 and offered a job to his girlfriend, thus breaking his earlier agreement.
But Bredell, who is also MEC for Local Government, said through his spokesperson, James-Brent Styan: “It’s a pity that during election seasons petty politicking rears its ugly head. The minister welcomes any investigation.”
Giving an insight on how business is often conducted at smaller municipalities, Chaaban said he, Verschini and the Democratic Christian Party’s Jacques Klazen had met at a restaurant, where they divvied up the spoils of the coup.
Chaaban would become mayor, Verschini his deputy and Klazen would be included on the mayoral committee, while the ANC would pull the purse strings of the municipality.
The three wrote a letter to the council Speaker, calling for a meeting where a motion of no confidence, followed by a vote, would be held. But, before this could happen, Chaaban claims Verschini was contacted by Bredell.
“Klazen was offered the mayorship, Verschini would then become a mayco member… Verschini then blocked my calls and claimed that his party’s executive could not work with the ANC over the Arms Deal,” said Chaaban.
Verschini, who has since died of cancer, never took up his position, which instead went to John Fredericks, who fought against attempts to remove him after he was accused of “hijacking” the VIP.
Chaaban has since “quit politics” and handed over the reins to his daughter Lee.
Police spokesperson Frederick van Zyl confirmed that a complaint had been lodged, and that the case had been transferred to Tulbagh, where the crime had allegedly been committed.