CAPE TOWN – Under-fire Western Cape legislature Speaker Masizole Mnqasela will be charged with misconduct, the DA federal executive (FedEx) has resolved.
DA Western Cape chairperson, Jaco Londt, made the announcement on Thursday after the party’s Federal Legal Commission (FLC) made the recommendation to the FedEx.
The party had handed over documents to the Hawks for investigation after two whistle-blowers provided Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, with submissions relating to subsistence, travel and entertainment allowance claims linked to Mnqasela.
The Hawks confirmed they are investigating fraud.
“The DA FedEx has resolved to accept the FLC recommendation. As required by the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, the DA has also reported the matter to the Hawks for investigation, including the documentary evidence provided in the protected disclosures,” said Londt.
He said the party had a zero-tolerance approach to corruption, and when “evidence-based allegations arise”, they hold their office bearers to account, without “fear or favour”.
JUSTIN: DA’s Federal Legal Commission (FLC) has recommended that Western Cape Provincial Parliament Speaker Masizole Mnqasela be charged with misconduct pic.twitter.com/6tkF0mrk3c
— Okuhle Hlati (@okuhle_hlati) July 21, 2022
Cape Times attempts to get comments from Mnqasela and his office were unsuccessful.
Mnqasela had in May stated that he wasn’t guilty and he wasn’t a thief.
This was after he was advised to step down amid the investigation.
The party moved to suspend him from all party activities.
"The PEC's decision to suspend is based on the findings of an investigation report by the DA's Federal Legal Commission that there is sufficient credibility in the allegations relating to irregularities pertaining to subsistence, travel and entertainment allowance claims."
The party said Mnqasela was given an opportunity to provide reasons why he shouldn’t be suspended, which he did.
Cape Times