R1 Billion debt: Afzul’s alleged legacy in Newcastle
“I asked my attorney to submit an official enquiry to find out if a summons was served, and from there we will defend any legal action that Mr Rehman has taken against me,” said Mr Liu.
Afzul Rehman, posted a stern warning on his Facebook page last week, after the Newcastle Advertiser gave him an opportunity to respond to allegations that he had used his position as mayor to influence the awarding of contracts, such that it enriched family members and friends.
“Let this be a warning to people who continue to destroy my legacy with rumours, allegations and accusations. Either you have proof of wrongdoing during my term of office, or keep quiet and sit down!” he said. “I have successfully sued Cllr Alex Liu for stating that I looted the municipality. Whether it is on social media, newspapers, general gossip or press briefings. Choose your words carefully.”
Accompanying the post was an image of a letter from Shika Attorneys in Durban, which indicated that Cllr Rehman was awarded a default judgement to the amount of R400 000, including legal costs, in the matter against Cllr Liu, who is an IFP councillor at the Newcastle Municipality.
Cllr Liu said he first became aware of the case against him, when a friend told him about Cllr Rehman’s Facebook post.
“I was never served with a summons,” explained Cllr Liu.
Koos Voster (IFP) said, after making enquiries, he found out that the summons was handed in at the municipal buildings, where an official had signed in receipt of the document.
“This was three months ago, but Cllr Liu knew nothing about it,” said Cllr Voster.
“We are now trying to trace which official signed for the document, and what the official did with the document. A summons is a very important document, which should not have been handled so carelessly.”
Sam Mlangeni (IFP) questioned why the summons was delivered to the municipal building, considering that Cllr Liu is not a full-time councillor and, therefore, did not have an office there, and taking into account that Cllr Liu’s business is based in Newcastle, and Cllr Liu also resides in Newcastle.
“Why was the summons not delivered to Cllr Liu, himself?” he asked, but said that he had not received an answer from the office of the sheriff at the time of print.
Cllr Liu said he was grateful for the support of his party.
“I asked my attorney to submit an official enquiry to find out if a summons was served, and from there we will defend any legal action that Mr Rehman has taken against me,” said Mr Liu.
“In his post, Mr Rehman emphasised his legacy,” Liu recalled and opined, “the legacy he left to Newcastle was to turn a municipality with R453 million in cash reserves, when he took office, into a municipality with debt of more than R1 billion. That is the legacy he left in Newcastle.”
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