DA Councillor accused of bully tactics at old age home
Councillor's behaviour was shocking, say residents.
The actions of DA Councillor for Ward 83, Suzanne Clarke, might have cost her party some votes and put an end to her political career, some believe.
This comes after an incident at the Klein Helderkruin Old Age Home on 10 February when Clarke arrived with both JMPD and SAPS officers to evict residents of the old age home who did not qualify to stay at the facility.
The Record spoke to Koos Wolmarans (53), one of the illegal occupants and son of resident Haan Visagie (89).
On the day Clarke allegedly arrived with two JMPD officers and three SAPS officers. Wolmarans alleged that Clarke burst into the unit with the officers in tow while his mother was in the bath. According to Wolmarans, Clarke was rude and threatening. After allegedly threatening Wolmarans that the officers were going to put him and his belongings out on the street she gave him an ultimatum to be out by Friday 14 February.
He admitted that according to the rules he was not allowed to stay there. He also said that there were procedures that Clarke had to follow in order to evict them.
Clarke and Chief Whip of the DA’s Johannesburg Caucus, Alan Fuchs, came out guns blazing when the Record spoke to them.
According to Clarke she was called by the residents and based on the fact that the facility is council-owned, she went as she is councillor for the ward. She said she took the police along for two very legitimate reasons – JMPD because they have to enforce by-laws and SAPS because a threat was made. Furthermore she also called a Housing official to be present.
Clarke denied all of Wolmarans’ claims. She also pointed out that it was the Department of Housing’s responsibility to initiate the eviction process, which would mean that Visagie would be evicted and then Wolmarans would have no choice but to go.
“The bottom line is that according to the rules these people were not allowed to stay there. The Department of Housing had been aware of this but did nothing. There is undue influencing of officials from the ruling party not to act against the trespassers because they want to curry favour with the residents before the election,” said Fuchs.
For the full story and the Councillors full fiery reply get next week’s Record.
