DA calls for EFF councillor to be suspended over Vodacom scandal

The DA in Polokwane has written to the speaker of Polokwane municipality, Mariri Ralefatane, to summon EFF councillor in Ward 13 Oupa Ramaphoko to appear before the ethics committee for allegedly being an accessory to a crime in the alleged vandalising of a Vodacom store in the province.

On Tuesday, the EFF released a joint statement with Vodacom, saying the two entities have “resolved the issue” following the controversy surrounding a slide displayed at the cellphone company’s 2018 Journalist of the Year Awards.

The slide, part of a keynote address by Corruption Watch chairperson Mavuso Msimang, called the EFF “Abusers of Democracy”.

The EFF in Limpopo was accused of vandalising one of the company’s stores in retaliation.

DA councillor in the Polokwane municipality Tiny Chidi said the EFF councillor’s alleged actions are in contravention of the code of conduct for councillors as outlined in the Municipal Systems Act of 2003, Schedule 1.

Chidi said according to the act, a councillor must perform the functions of the office honestly, in good faith, and in a transparent manner. They must at all times act in the best interest of the municipality and in such a way that the credibility and integrity of the municipality are not compromised.

The DA councillor said the party acknowledged everyone had a right to protest, “but it must be conducted within the prescripts of the law”.

“The right to protest does not in any way promote malicious damage to property.

“We have already added additional criminal charges against the EFF under case number 29/12/18 at the Polokwane police station on Monday.

“The DA urges the speaker to consider placing the councillor under precautionary suspension pending investigations by the police.”

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