Johannesburg – Minority opposition parties in Johannesburg are ready to file criminal charges against the Democratic Alliance led mayoral council. They are also ready to press criminal charges against Herman Mashaba.
The minority opposition parties consist of Al Jama-ah, the African Independent Congress (AIC), United Democratic Movement (UDM), Good Party and the African People’s Convention (APC), said Abu Bakr Thapelo Amad, Al Jama-ah councillor.
Where do these charges come from?
There are two different charges. One against the DA led council and another against Mashaba. According to Amad, both these charges were recommended by the Public Protector while the second charge was also recommended by the Treasury.
“We are pursuing this route because they have taken the independence of the council. There’s no movement because there’s a lack of service delivery. There’s a lack of service delivery because their priorities are not to furnish or to assist in terms of service delivery.”
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What is the charge against Mashaba?
Mashaba left the DA in 2019 and went on to open his own party called Action SA. Although he is no longer with the DA, he is being charged because of the actions he took while he was with them and was the mayor of Johannesburg. According to Amad, Mashaba purchased spy equipment during his mayoral region without getting the proper authorisation to do so.
“At the time in 2017 his mayoral committee procured a spy web. They bought that spy web which is counterintelligence and treason. They didn’t have a ministerial authorisation or an authorisation from the State Security. The spy web is a grabber which they use to solicit the information and it is in contravention to the Protection of Personal Information Act. He was the mayor when this spy web was procured.”
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There is a compelling case against Mashaba
Oftentimes we find that cases against politicians and political parties get thrown out because there is not enough evidence against them or for some other reason. Amad is certain this will not happen this time as they have a very strong case in their hands.
“It’s a strong enough case because of all the documents available. The machine was even procured from Israel and there are other allegations that it is the only machine in the country. Hence why we’re saying it is counterintelligence. This machine is only found in the city of Johannesburg and then maybe in Botswana.”
The machine is currently at the Group Forensic and Investigation Services building and is being run by them, said Amad. To have this level of equipment requires authorisation and training from the State Security.
The minority opposition parties have opened a case against Mashaba in the High Court. The remaining charges against the DA led council will be filed soon enough and Amad hopes justice will be served.
