United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa. Picture: Gallo Images
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United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa has hit back at Athol Trollip’s claims that both Holomisa himself and Nelson Mandela Bay (NMD) mayor Mongameli Bobani took “bad, dirty money” in order to run an August 2015 by-election that led to the party triumphing over both the DA and ANC and dramatically increasing their support to 49% from 4%.
Trollip made these claims while addressing the Cape Town Press Club on Monday.
According to The Sowetan, Holomisa confirmed that Trollip made allegations against Bobani, while denying that the ousted NMD had previously made such allegations about himself.
“He never said I took money, he’s always said it’s Bobani who took money. He must publish the evidence including the source‚ place‚ amount and date. He can go to hell‚” said Holomisa.
Holomisa also reportedly called Trollip a “farmer who was becoming too big for his boots”.
“He must provide the evidence or he will have to explain this in court,” Holomisa concluded.
At the Cape Town Press Club, Trollip said he knew about Bobani’s alleged corruption for some time before the coalition, which formerly included both the DA and UDM, broke down.
“It became clear around December 20 when Bobani said I should pay 10% commission to disbursing money in the controversial integrated public transport system contract. He insisted that we pay this R1.8 million‚ but I refused,” said Trollip.
“Since that day‚ Bobani started voting against us in council‚ and sided with people that were being disciplined and representing people that were being suspended.”
Trollip also claims that he wrote to Holomisa several times about Bobani, alleging that he was ignored by the UDM leader.
Trollip continued: “I said to Holomisa: ‘I know why you won’t do anything about Bobani, because you both took bad‚ dirty money in Nelson Mandela Bay for the by-elections and for the election.’ He paled visibly and‚ from that day on‚ he turned aggressive and he started using the narrative that the DA is racist‚ [that] Trollip is a baas and his ego is too big. Despite the fact that his member had broken every single provision of the co-governance agreement.”
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