Cape Town -
A Cape Town councillor who allegedly sold RDP houses has been found guilty of breaching the councillors’ code of conduct and will be expelled from the council.
ANC ward 35 councillor Thobile Gqola was found guilty by a disciplinary committee of “compromising the integrity of a councillor” and not acting in the best interest of the public after he allegedly sold RDP houses.
The disciplinary committee also found DA councillor Irma Jackson guilty of “bringing a councillor’s name into disrepute”, fined her R6 000 and issued a warning.
Last week, the city council agreed after a heated debate between ANC and DA councillors to expel Gqola.
Last year, six cases of theft were opened against Gqola by residents of New Crossroads and Khayelitsha after allegations of “housing corruption”.
The council found Gqola allegedly sold RDP houses for R7 000 in Philippi East Phase 5 housing project to people who were not on the housing list.
Anthea Serritslev, chairwoman of the disciplinary committee, said the outcome was fair.
“We had an unpleasant debate during council meeting. Councillor Gqola was found guilty for acting in his own interest.”
Jackson takes seniors on a trip to Durban annually, but last year over 40 elderly people who had paid R3 000 for the trip were unable to travel after her travel agent let her down.
Serritslev said Jackson had found herself at the airport with the elderly passengers, but they were unable to fly because of the travel agent’s failure.
“Later that week, some of the group managed to go to Durban on their own… she also paid their money back,” said Serritslev.
“Jackson pleaded guilty. What she did was not for personal gain.”
ANC spokesman and councillor Xolani Sotashe said the ANC was clear on councillors who breached the code of conduct.
“We support the removal of councillor Gqola from office; he should have proved without a doubt that he was not guilty.
“However, the DA is using the disciplinary committee to terrorise councillors from other parties.
“In the case of a DA councillor who used letters with the city’s letterheads to evict people, he only received a warning. Councillor Jackson, a DA councillor, is only getting a fine and a warning. DA councillors who commit the same breach should also be removed as councillors.”
Sotashe added that the ANC would approach the public protector to have the decision revisited.
Cape Argus