Zille names three involved in alleged ‘sex for jobs’ plot to oust Waters

In an audio recording leaked to the Boksburg Advertiser recently, Helen Zille, Federal Council chairperson of the Democratic Alliance, stated the recent departure of three DA members was linked to a “sex for jobs” scandal they allegedly manufactured in a bid to oust DA MPL Mike Waters.

The DA members named by Zille are Phillip de Lange (former DA Ekurhuleni caucus leader), Jacques Meiring (former Benoni Ward 27 DA councillor) and John Moodey (former provincial leader of the Gauteng DA).

Zille, who was addressing members via a closed online meeting, described their departure from the party as a means to escape resultant party processes.

“There was a strategy in which three people were clearly involved according to documentary evidence and taped evidence. They were John Moodey, Phillip de Lange and Jacques Meiring,” Zille said.

“The reason why I can talk to you more freely now is because all three have left the party and that means the cases before the federal legal commission have fallen away. However, there will be private prosecutions in these cases.

“What they did was to manufacture what they claimed to be serious cases against two junior councillors and got them very tense about these fabricated charges they were supposedly facing before the federal legal commission or somewhere else – I don’t know where else,” she alleged.

“And then, when the councillors really thought they were in deep trouble, they were promised to get them out of trouble if they would sign sworn statements that they had been propositioned by Mikes Waters when he was chair of the selection panel that selected ward councillors,” her allegations continued.

“If that happened it could be very serious offence – it would have been what is called a ‘sex for jobs’ scandal.

“The only problem was that it didn’t ever happened, and those two very brave young councillors said we can’t allow ourselves to be manipulated like this and get into extortion that we will get them out of trouble they didn’t understand there were in, by signing false declarations.

“Now, the extent of the bravery that these young councillors showed is attested to in the documentary and tape recordings that we have.

“In trying to persuade these young councillors to do that, they basically involved the names of very senior people in the DA saying they were all in on it and they all wanted to get rid of Mike Waters, and that they all knew what happened and they would let these young councillors free of their charges if they were prepared to sign these documents.

“They were brought indemnity forms so that they could be indemnified of charges they didn’t understand and they didn’t know about against themselves.

“It was because of the bravery and integrity and principles of these two young councillors that we managed to get all the evidence together to make what we consider to be a water-tight case to ensure that this case will still get its day in court.”

Zille said she received the complaint in March but because of Covid-19 and because they didn’t have any protocols to hold hearings under lockdown, they had to ensure that they kept it quiet.

The party eventually went through all relevant internal processes, and Zille said the extent of the evidence became very apparent when it was presented to those implicated.

She also said this was one of the most serious issues to ever come before the party’s Federal Legal Commission, adding there is a lot of evidence – including tapes and documentary evidence.

“When (those implicated) saw the extent of the evidence it was absolutely clear that they would rather leave than face a federal legal commission hearing on the basis of the evidence,” she opined.

“And unfortunately, especially in the case of John Moodey, he left claiming that the DA was racist; that he could not live under the same roof as me.

“Now while I’m federal chair of the DA I have to ensure that processes are free and fair and applied to everybody equally and nobody is above the law.

“This case was very serious with a lot of evidence to back it up of subversion of process of the rule of law, and what we have here was two young councillors very true to their principles who blew the whistle.”

Zille explained that in the case of the former DA caucus leader, de Lange, evidence was produced by another whistle-blower. A woman had made allegations of sexual harassment against him, whereafter he left the party.

“Jacques was not only facing these set of charges, he was also facing another set of charges which I can’t talk about now because there may be another member of the DA allegedly involved in that.

“Those tapes have been verified by an expert, and the handwritings on the indemnity form have also been verified by an expert.”

The three former DA members – John Moodey, Phillip de Lange and Jacques Meiring, as well as Mike Waters were offered right of reply on the allegations made by Zille in the audio clip:

Moodey responded:

He had never been approached by anyone to submit false affidavits or testimony against Waters. Instead, he was informed two councillors had made allegations that they were approached by Waters, who was the chairman of the selection panel in Ekurhuleni in 2016.

“I was informed that he had allegedly proposed to these two young men that, in exchange for sex, he would ensure that they are placed high enough on the list to become councillors.”

Moodey said his response was that they either approach him and give such testimony in the presence of at least two other leaders in the party, or else they submit certified affidavits to this effect.

“Without such, the allegations could not be referred to the party’s legal commission for consideration. This was not forthcoming and that’s where the matter ended.

“Earlier this year, just before the Covid-19 lockdown, the matter was again brought to my attention and my response was exactly the same as before.”

According to Moodey, a few weeks into the lockdown, he received a call from the caucus leader that one of the complainants wanted to submit an affidavit to the effect of the allegations of Waters’ solicitation of sex in exchange for him becoming a councillor.

The councillor was, however, afraid of being victimised, and he therefore wanted Moodey to call him so that he could be reassured that he would not be victimised.

“As I was requested by the complainant to call him and as a leader my responsibility is to protect the good name of the party. I could not ignore such a request. I phoned him and informed him that it is his decision whether he wants to go ahead with the submission of an affidavit or not. He isn’t under any pressure or obligation to submit any affidavit. It is his choice.

“He said that he was afraid that Waters has influential supporters in the region and it would jeopardise his chances of becoming a councillor again in 2021.

My response was that he belongs to a party whose principles of freedom, fairness, opportunity and diversity will protect his rights and interests. I had never unduly influenced him.

“A few days later I was informed that he had illegally recorded our conversation. I am convinced that it was an attempt to entrap me. I have nothing to hide. I am not afraid of any threats of civil action against me.
“In fact, I have legal recourse too.

I can lay criminal charges against the councillor for unlawful recording of a private conversation, being party to malicious prosecution and then civil action for damaging my reputation. I have two years in which to do so.”

Moodey said he similarly has legal recourse against Waters too.

“In this case I also have a two year period in which to do so. In the meantime other persons have contacted me with evidence which will be used in due course,” explained Moodey.

Waters responded:

Waters declined to give further detail on the matter, only responding: “I’m taking legal action. I do not wish to say anything on the subject at this stage.”

De Lange has not yet responded:

De Lange was also approached for comment, but no reply has been received.

Meiring responded:

“I’ve never been approached by the FLC regarding the alleged matter. I’m not aware of any civil lawsuit against me regarding the alleged matter. I left the DA for the GOOD Party. It was a matter of conviction, as reported by you (Benoni City Times).”

Zille has not responded:

Zille was also approached for comment, but none had been received at the time of publication.