Cape Town - The Department of Home Affairs has revoked the marriage licence of DA councillor in the Bergrivier Municipality, Adam du Plooy, following allegations of fraud.
Du Plooy, who also serves as a pastor, is accused of being involved in the issuing of fraudulent marriage licences.
Executive director of the Rural and Farm Workers Development Organisation, Billy Claasen, said he he escalated the matter to Home Affairs after the police had declined to proceed with the case.
“It was reported to me last year after someone made a complaint, saying that there was a pastor who was fulfilling marriage processes without a marriage licence.
It turned out that she was making use of Adam du Plooy’s marriage register.
“We reported the matter to the police. The police investigated and then said they found no grounds for a case.
After that I escalated the matter to the director-general of Home Affairs.
They then investigated and the outcome was that they revoked the marriage licence of Du Plooy and he is now no longer a marriage officer.
“My question now is: What about the legitimacy of the marriages that were done by the pastor in the community? People must come forward.
“There are also allegations and rumours that Du Plooy and his cronies are driving around telling people that they must say he officiated the marriages,” said Claasen.
Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qoza confirmed that Du Plooy’s licence has been revoked.
“The matter was investigated by the Department of Home Affairs.
Following the findings of that investigation, the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, revoked the marriage licence of Mr Adam du Plooy on July 26, 2022.
This outcome was communicated to Mr Du Plooy,” he said.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said a case of fraud was under investigation.
Du Plooy declined to comment.
Bergrivier mayor Ray van Rooy said they would await the outcome of the case.
“There is a criminal case opened against him. I heard about it but I don’t want to get involved in the matter because it is sub judice.
I asked him about it and he said it is true that his licence was withdrawn. But (he) said Home Affairs did not listen to his side of the story.
“The case is still in court and has been postponed till November.
The matter is outside the municipality. We can’t do anything at the moment.”
Patriotic Alliance deputy provincial leader Sammy Claassen called for the DA to take action.
“It is quite shocking for a pastor to act in a way that is unlawful, unethical and criminal. The DA must come clean on the matter.
“The pastor and councillor has been found guilty by Home Affairs for corruptly issuing marriage certificates which he never officiated ... and has been dismissed by the Department of Home Affairs.
Corruption is a big problem in South Africa, and when pastors enter a political space we as the community expect them to provide ethical leadership,” said Claassen.
DA provincial spokesperson Melt Botes said they were alerted to the allegations on Sunday.
“We are awaiting further information about the matter and will then decide upon a course of action through the party processes,” he said.
Cape Times