Cape Town - In what has been described as the “curse of the mayoral chain”, the ANC-led Cederberg municipality has moved to institute a probe into its executive mayor.
Mayor Johan Muller is the latest ANC member to fall victim to the municipality’s so-called cursed position, which was set in motion in 2013 with embattled mayor Jonas White being fired after sending lewd pictures of himself to his then-deputy, Lorna Scheepers. After White’s demise, Scheepers was installed as mayor, but was soon given the boot after being recalled by the ANC which later saw her caucus and the opposition vote for her removal.
Now Muller, the third mayor in three years, is facing disciplinary charges after allegedly submitting fraudulent travel claims for a trip to Port Elizabeth.
Muller has denied the allegations, saying there was a plot to discredit him.
Muller said last week that he was kept in the dark after unexpectedly being asked to leave Tuesday’s council meeting, while a secret item was being discussed.
“I was asked to step outside and was never called back. Instead the meeting adjourned after a few minutes, leaving me in the dark,” he added.
Muller said there was an explanation for the travel claims and that he had in fact gone to Port Elizabeth with a private vehicle. The car belonged to his friend, Muller said, as his own vehicle had faulty brakes, and he had instructed his driver to use the work car to go to George and finalise arrangements for an impending municipal trip.
Muller said he was never approached or asked about the trip, instead the council jumped to their own conclusions.
“This entire saga is politically motivated. There are certain individuals who are using ANC structures to launch a campaign against me. They are trying to damage my profile and good standing in the community,” he added.
But Cederberg Speaker Danville Smith said allegations of a plot against the mayor and infighting within the ANC in the region must be rejected with the contempt it deserved.
Smith said allegations of misconduct by the mayor came to his attention about three weeks ago.
It is alleged that Muller allegedly put in a travel claim for a trip to Port Elizabeth and Swellendam with a private vehicle, while he allegedly drove with a council vehicle.
“I brought this to the attention of full council on June 28, whereafter it was decided to launch an investigation into the allegations. The investigation is under way and part of the council decision was to withdraw the delegated authority of the mayor and to vest it into the mayoral committee.”
This, he added, was to ensure a smooth investigation and no possible interference or tampering with any possible evidence.
Smith stressed that Muller was not suspended, as initially rumoured, but remained in his post.
Cape Argus