Ward councillor opens defamation case against Northgate resident and charity chairperson

Ward 101 councillor, Ralf Bittkau has opened a defamation case against Northgate resident and chairperson of a charity organisation, Bradford Fletcher.

This was in response to an exchange of emails between the two, wherein Fletcher copied several media houses, political parties, organisations and management of the DA in Joburg, and made serious accusations against the party’s ward councillor.

It has since escalated into a petition signed by residents helped by the charity in which they ask to meet with Bittkau, and threaten to demonstrate outside his home if he does not agree to meet with them and address their concerns.

In the emails, Fletcher reportedly made three serious allegations against Bittkau. Without repeating them verbatim, as this is now a criminal matter, it can be said Fletcher claimed the Ward councillor only helps middle-class voters. Fletcher also essentially accuses Bitthau of fraud and nepotism in the emails.

These and more allegations had to be publicised, Fletcher said, after he had asked Bittkau some time back for his letter of approval for Fletcher’s non-profit organisation, Dones Food Parcels, and by extension partner organisation Little Butterflies, to present to the National Lottery for a grant, which Bittkau had refused.

He also said they would take the community to Bittkau’s doorstep to demonstrate this injustice and publicise the evidence they have.

Two sides to the story

Randburg Sun spoke to both parties following the opening of the case at Honeydew Police Station, but which was moved to Douglasdale Police Station due to Bittkau living in the latter’s precinct.

Bittkau said he could not speak much about the matter as it is now being investigated by the police.

However, he refuted much of what Fletcher says, claiming as a Ward councillor he is not allowed to work with NPOs, or even give any particular ones his official approval as it shows bias, and Ward councillors could take advantage of such relationships. Giving written approval could get him fired.

He said he explained this to the organisation’s co-founder and project manager, Maggie Dones, in the one meeting they had on the subject. He has been ignoring many of the pair’s emails, phone calls and WhatsApp messages because he would just have to explain this to them again.

Bittkau said he has never been asked by a charity for written approval about a non-profit organisation, as he is not allowed to work with them. They work with the City. He said he has never heard of the National Lottery requesting written approval from a Ward councillor.

This coupled with other perceived inconsistencies are why he personally questions the legitimacy, or at least the intentions and abilities, of the organisations. Not that he is able to approve any NPO, regardless, he maintains.

Regarding providing proof of residence to people, Bittkau said he is allowed to do this and has done so for people living on the old nursery land.

Bittkau said when he first searched for the two registration numbers provided by the charity on the government’s website, nothing came up. However, when Randburg Sun searched for these numbers, it did show the organisations were registered.

Furthermore, during Randburg Sun‘s visit with Fletcher, Dones, and community leader Sipho Modiba, they presented letters from the Department of Social Development showing they were registered.

Fletcher called the opening of the defamation case ‘an intimidation tactic’, claiming all he had said was fair comment and truth.

They are forming a petition, signed by residents on the land, to request Bittkau to meet with them or else they will demonstrate at his home.

Walking through the community of about 400 people using the Old Municipal Nursery and the area around it, the trio said all they want is to help the people.

They would be willing to put Ralf’s name on the project if he wanted.

Dones claimed she has experience working for a non-profit organisation in Midrand called Tshwarangovc, from 2004 to 2010.

The need in the community

Still, the community on the land uses old brick buildings (one of which Bittkau said was condemned following an audit, and should not be inhabited), caravans, shacks and other structures they set up.

Children play in dirty streets with mounds of rubbish, as sickly-looking chickens wander past.

The residents use portable toilets because the sewerage line underground is broken.

Many taps in the area have leaks and live cables run down roads from illegal connections.

No one pays for the running water and electricity, though Modiba said residents would be willing to pay for electricity if prepaid meters were installed.

The group worries for the safety of the children living on the land, who may be electrocuted by one of the exposed cables, especially when it rains.

Questions were also sent to the National Lottery about their request for Bittkau’s approval.

Their comments will be published when they are made.

The role of Ward councillors regarding non-profits

Randburg Sun asked the chief whip of council, Tyrell Meyers, about the role of Ward councillors in regard to non-profit organisations.

He said, “Nothing stops a councillor from engaging with NPOs etc., but councillors are in terms of the declarations of interest warned to steer clear of any favours, inducements etc that would advantage both sides, with the name of Councillors often used to name drop. Councillors can, by all means, engage and assist service delivery oversight which is their mandate.”

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