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DA clarifies report regarding Bhanga’s alleged misuse of NMB municipal vehicle

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Dear MyPE

The Democratic Alliance (DA) wishes to clarify a recent misleading report implying that DA Eastern Cape Provincial Leader, Cllr Nqaba Bhanga, misused a municipal vehicle and that this alleged misuse led to the tragic death of two people.

The incident in 2017, in which Cllr Bhanga’s security officer was involved in an accident that tragically ended two lives, took place while Cllr Bhanga was still the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements in Nelson Mandela Bay.

During this time Cllr Bhanga and the DA instituted several investigations into malpractice and/or corruption within the municipal Human Settlements Directorate and Cllr Bhanga had been receiving death threats. It must also be highlighted that Cllr Bhanga’s predecessor as MMC for Human Settlements was assassinated.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) completed a risk analysis and found that Cllr Bhanga should be afforded 24-hour close protection.

The security official who was driving the vehicle was charged in terms of the municipality’s Driver Code of Practice Policy – which dictates how officials must make use of municipal vehicles. However, no policy exists within the Municipality that prescribes how a municipal vehicle, assigned to provide close protection to a politician, must be made use of by said politician. Close protection is provided when the politician leaves his/her property, and the protection is then also extended to family and partners as the politician is precluded from utilising any private vehicle.

To date, and notwithstanding the fact that the DA initiated the investigation into the matter when we still governed NMB with our coalition partners, no report has been submitted to the municipal Rules and Ethics Committee, and Cllr Bhanga has yet to be summoned to appear before this committee. Cllr Bhanga also welcomed the investigation and his position remains the same.

The report referred to was compiled by a municipal official and is still confidential. The report is also flawed, as an official is not mandated to recommend disciplinary action against politicians.

The DA again extends its condolences to the family and friends of the people who lost their lives in this tragic accident.

Regards

Cllr Morne Steyn
DA NMB member of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee

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