The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Friday urged the African National Congress (ANC) to act against its newly sworn-in Councillor Martha Mazibuko following serious allegations that she took money from house seekers under false pretenses.
The DA said allegations had surfaced that Mazibuko took money from two taxi owners, Willie du Plessis and Veronica Mofokeng, after promising to find them council houses.
The allegations go as far back as 2010, when Mazibuko was still employed at the City of Johannesburg’s housing division.
Mazibuko allegedly solicited money from Du Plessis and Mafokeng after promising to allocate houses to them in Observatory and Houghton suburbs respectively. But when the prospective tenants went to the addresses that she gave them they found that the places were already occupied.
Jack Bloom a DA MPL, who is familiar with the matter, on Friday said: “There are others who also reportedly say they were deceived by Mazibuko”.
Du Plessis, who allegedly paid Mazibuko R37,000 to get a council house, said he has reported the matter to the police.
The other alleged victim, Mofokeng, said she paid Mazibuko R60,000 in the hope of securing a house in Houghton.
Bloom said the ANC must investigate the matter and make its findings public.
“This case will show whether the ANC is serious about taking action against a lack of integrity in its public representatives” Bloom said.
Mazibuko would not be drawn to comment beyond saying the allegations against her were “political stunts”.
ANC Regional Secretary, Dada Morero said his organisation does not tolerate corruption.
“We will get the facts on the matter and thereafter take action” Morero said. He said if the allegations are proven to be true, measures will be taken and the Councillor will face suspension.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
