DA in Polokwane calls for councillor arrested for corruption, to be suspended
The councillor was arrested for soliciting bribes from jobseekers
POLOKWANE – DA Caucus leader in Polokwane, Frank Haas, says the DA have written to the Speaker of the Polokwane Municipality, Councillor Mariri Ralefatane, to summon the implicated ward Councillor to appear before the Ethics Committee.
This after she was arrested for soliciting bribes from jobseekers, hopeful to be included in the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) in her ward.
Read more: Polokwane ward councillor arrested for alleged corruption
The Councillors name is known to Review, however, we cannot name her as she has not pleaded in court yet.
Haas says the DA welcomes the arrest as this type of behaviour is unacceptable.
“According to the Municipal Systems Act, Schedule 1: Code of Conduct, item 6(1) indicates that Councillors may not use their positions or confidential information for personal profit, nor for the improper benefit of any other person.
Bribery is all too common in the political arena and Councillors must be held accountable for their unethical conduct if found guilty,” he said.
The DA have urged the Speaker to conduct an internal investigation and if evidence suggests any wrong doing, that the Councillor be suspended from council, pending the legal outcome.
