Cape Town – The Good party in the West Coast has called for ANC MPL Danville Smith to step down after he appeared on allegations of fraud and corruption at the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday.
Good Party’s Sammy Claassen said the charges relate to alleged incidents during a Mandela Day celebration that took place during his tenure as Speaker of the Cederberg municipality.
This comes as ANC secretary-general, Ace Magashule has requested by tomorrow the names of party members who have been charged with corruption or other serious crimes and those who are alleged, reported or implicated in corrupt practices.
The ANC in the province yesterday said they were following that process.
Claassen said Smith was the alleged “mastermind” behind the fraud and corruption while he was holding as a senior executive council post at the Cederberg municipality.
“During his tenure, the municipality was looted for many years by senior officials and councillors. Municipal funds and resources were used by these public officials and representatives like an ATM to draw cash for personal benefits whenever the need arises for cash and ‘projekkies’.
“It is now up to the ANC in the Western Cape to act in terms of its NASREC resolutions and Mr Danville Smith must step aside. We have started a count down for him as we will be watching how both the Western Cape Government and the ANC in the province react to this scandal,” he said.
Smith referred questions to his lawyer, Andre Johnston.
Johnston confirmed that Smith was charged for corruption.
“Both Mr Smith and myself will reserve our opinions and comments till after I have perused the content of the police docket to ascertain the basis of the charge against (him).”
Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said Smith was released on warning, and is due to return to court on May 19 2021.
The head of the provincial department of local government, Graham Paulse said they were cooperating with the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority.
“The minister is aware and has adopted a zero tolerance approach to fraud, corruption and maladministration and in terms of this approach any allegations would be addressed in terms of the prescribed legislative framework.”
The Cederberg municipality refused to comment yesterday.
Cape Times