The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to George Mayor, Melvin Naik, requiring him to resign the office of the Mayoralty within 48 hours. Should Mr Naik refuse to do so by close of business on 12 February 2020, his membership of the Democratic Alliance will cease, and he will no longer be a municipal councillor in George.
The allegations against Mr Naik are of such a serious and substantiated nature that it is only proper that he vacate the Mayoralty now, rather than wait for the outcome of any criminal justice processes.
This firm and swift action follows the findings of a forensic investigation into allegations of fraud, corruption, maladministration and serious malpractice within the George Municipality. This investigation was initiated by the Minister for Local Government in the Western Cape, Anton Bredell.
Corruption is the cancer that is destroying South Africa, mainly because despite many commitments to fight corruption, there is no culture of accountability. No senior politicians found to be involved in corruption are ever held accountable. Not one ANC leadership figure implicated in state capture has gone to prison, and Jacob Zuma has still not faced trial, more than 20 years after the arms deal.
The DA must be, and will be, different. The DA has taken this difficult action to reinforce our commitment to offering the cleanest governance in South Africa. We want the public to trust that when they vote DA, they will get clean and accountable government. This does not mean we are immune from instances of corruption. No party is. But it does mean that when we have firm evidence of impropriety, we will take very firm action. That is what we have done in this case, culminating in this action today.
The message is clear: No person who is any way involved in corruption will have any place in a DA government. That is the “DA difference”.
We call on all parties in the George Council to support our efforts to root out corruption in George.