The fate of two Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillors has been sealed.
One EFF councillor resigned from the J.B. Marks council and another was expelled from the party after a disciplinary hearing was conducted at the EFF provincial offices in Mahikeng Wednesday, 8 July.
The councillors were temporarily suspended following voice notes that could implicate them in extortion were circulated. They related to receiving money for either approving or rejecting the municipal budget.
Papiki Babuile, the provincial secretary of the North West EFF, says the councillors were summoned to present their case before the disciplinary committee after the internal investigations. One attended, but the other submitted a doctor’s note without details of the doctor.
The committee continued the hearing in the absence of the other member and the evidence was provided.
The committee found the members guilty and presented a report to the Central Command Team on Sunday, 12 July. The latter approved the findings.
The councillor in attendance resigned from the local municipal council. He has been suspended temporarily as the matter has been referred to the national disciplinary committee to be finalised.
Based on the evidence, the councillor who was absent was then expelled from the political party.
“As a political party, we are happy that we have concluded the matter quickly,” said Babuile.
William Maphosa, the municipal spokesperson, confirmed that the municipality had received the resignation from the councillor concerned. He added that the office of the speaker would continue to consult with the whips of the other political parties regarding the expelled councillor.
Captain Aafje Botma, the police spokesperson, says a case was registered. “No one has yet been charged, but the investigation continues,” she said.
