- The GOOD party has brought criminal charges against its Drakenstein councilor Edgar Arendse.
- This after the party terminated his affiliation after he was found guilty of seven counts of fraud and breaching the Political Party Financing Law.
- Arendse said she was currently reviewing the disciplinary outcome.
The GOOD party has filed criminal charges against one of its former councilors amid allegations of fraud.
The party said it had approached the Hawks about launching an investigation into their Drakenstein advisor Edgar Arendse.
He added that he canceled his membership after a disciplinary hearing last month.
GOOD General Secretary Brett Herron said the party had reported him to the South African Electoral Commission and opened a case with the Hawks under Section 34 of the Corrupt Activities Prevention and Combat Act..
READ | Former Springbok coach turned GOOD councilor Peter de Villiers takes over as councilor
“Arendse was found guilty of seven counts of fraud and breach of the Political Party Financing Law in a disciplinary hearing chaired by an independent expert.
“The charges against Arendse relate to him illegally soliciting ‘membership dues’ and ‘funding’ from GOOD members and ‘donations’ from members of the public. All of this money went directly into his pocket.”
Herron added that none were declared to the party or deposited into their bank account as required by the Political Party Financing Law.
He said:
GOOD does not charge membership fees. It enrolls members who are registered voters and subscribe to the party’s values and the four pillars of spatial, social, economic, and environmental justice.
Former Springbok rugby coach and GOOD mayoral candidate Peter de Villiers has been nominated to once again lead the Drakenstein Council caucus while also representing the party on Cape Winelands District Council.
Hawks spokesman Zinzi Hani confirmed to News24 that a case had been opened.
“This office confirms that the GOOD party has filed a complaint against one of its officials and the investigation is ongoing,” he said.
Arendse added that she wanted to request that the party retract the statement it had issued Thursday about the Hawks’ investigation of him.
“I am currently busy with a statement. I will request that the party retract their statement because the outcome of the disciplinary hearing is subject to review in the Western Cape High Court,” he told News24 when contacted for comment.
