Nineteen years of faithful service in the Democratic Alliance came to an abrupt end when the party terminated the membership of a Member of Parliament, Juanita Terblanche, last week.
According to James Selfe, the chairperson of the DA Federal Executive, the decision was taken after a hearing by a disciplinary panel of the Federal Legal Commission. ‘She was found guilty on several counts of misconduct involving the mishandling of party money.’
‘She took the decision of the panel on review in the Cape High Court but it was rejected.
She attempted to appeal to the High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court without success. We wish her well in her future endeavours,’ says Selfe.
Terblanche is fighting back
At that time, Terblanche described reports on the outcome of the misconduct enquiry as erroneous and misleading and that is still her opinion. She objects to Phumzile van Damme, the DA’s spokesperson’s use of the word, ‘misappropriation’ saying it suggests that she had committed a crime by taking money from the DA.
‘In terms of the factual finding of the internal DA appeal forum, this is incorrect,’ she said in a bid to clear her name.
Terblanche’s name appeared on an invoice for courier charges that were erroneously (as confirmed by the courier agents) debited against the DA. She argues that she subsequently paid the amount of amount of R767 in cash but did not receive a receipt.
The auditor conducting the forensic audit appears to support this, saying the cash control at the party office was ‘shocking’.
In the second charge, Terblanche was accused of using party funds to pay for her personal grooming but the DA’s appeal forum exonerated her of all but one of the make-overs, amounting to R500. The internal appeal said a finding of dishonesty was not borne out by the evidence. All the claims were processed by the office staff, done openly and reflected in the accounts.
At worst, therefore, she could be found guilty of gross negligence. (Read the full story on https://www.citizen.co.za/potchefstroom-herald/5101/terblanche-is-fighting-back/)
Terblanche sets the record straight again
This week, Terblanche discussed this latest development with the Herald and has defended her case further.
‘On or around 30 August 2017 my political career came to an abrupt end when the Constitutional Court made a final finding against me.
I believe this case was flawed from the outset and was driven by ulterior motives in what can best be described as a captured disciplinary process.
‘In contrast to the initial charges, an appeal panel of the Federal Legal Commission of the DA arrived at a different verdict from the disciplinary panel. The hearing panel did not include a specific finding of whether the appellant had acted intentionally or negligently as it was irrelevant to the case.
‘However, in the absence of a specific finding and when reasons are provided, it is irregular for the hearing to find dishonesty on the part of the appellant.
Based on the factual findings of the hearing panel, the worst form of blameworthiness that can be ascribed is that of gross negligence,’ she said.
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