Cape Town - The disciplinary hearing against former water and sanitation Mayco member, Zahid Badroodien, who is accused of tampering with an electricity meter at his property, kicked off on Wednesday.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis announced on September 28 that the former Mayco member requested to step down from his position pending the outcome of the disciplinary hearing.
The Cape Times is aware that five parties are represented in the Disciplinary Committee (DC) that is made up of seven members from the DA, two from the ANC, while the EFF, Good Party and the Cape Coloured Congress (CCC) party each have one member.
The first day was apparently brief and the panel chaired by councillor Ian Nielson dealt with the terms of reference and clarity on issues raised.
The next hearing date is expected to be on November 9, when an alternative name might be added as councillor Nora Grose’s name is no longer on the list of the panel as the eighth committee member.
Badroodien had bought the property in question in 2016. The building on the property was completed three years later, but had stood vacant until November 2021.
He contends: “I then moved into the building on a temporary basis as it was in close proximity to the ward I had just been elected to serve. Two days after moving in, I was made aware of an alleged tampering of the electricity meter on the property.
“This triggered an investigation and the subsequent disciplinary process, as determined by the Speaker of Council. I had no knowledge of such alleged impropriety up until that point.
“Subsequently I provided all available information and affidavits at my disposal to the Speaker for her investigative process. The City is yet to confirm the amount owed, following the completion of its own processes.”
He will continue serving as the ward 48 councillor in Athlone.
City Speaker Felicity Purchase said their office has exhausted all comments on the matter and it was now with the DC.
“Meetings of the DC are closed to the public and the press, as councillors have a right to confidentiality, similar to common practice in all disciplinary matters and proceedings.
Once a hearing is concluded by the DC, their report and recommendations are submitted to council for consideration.”
Cape Times