Endumeni Residents Association chairperson opens charges after ‘defamatory Whats App messages’
"As we are reliant on public donations we, the ERA, cannot allow such lies to be spread on a public group."
The leadership of the Endumeni Residents Association, ERA, has confirmed it has taken legal steps after the Association was accused of corruption and members ‘putting money in their own pockets’ on a public Whats App group.
Willie Steenberg, ERA vice chairperson, said he was specifically named in messages on the Whats App group which is supposed to be a platform where community members can report municipal service delivery issues like water and electrical outages, blocked drains, etc.
“As my name was specifically mentioned I have taken steps to open a charge with the SAPS and are also considering civil action. This reckless statement was made on the basis that there is a recording to support these untruths which has still not been heard which of course it won’t be,” Mr Steenberg said.
He said he had the support of the ERA chairperson, FC Bester and the committee.
He added that the ‘unfounded lies’ are not only a slight on the names of everyone involved with the ERA but also defamatory of those in their individual capacity. He added that the messages had yet to be deleted from the Whats App group and was considering action against those who administer that group.
The Glencoe SAPS confirmed that a charge had been opened and that the investigation was in progress.
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