THE chairperson of the DA KZN, Dean Macpherson, has exonerated councillor Zoë Solomon of any liability and said she acted in good faith in a controversial proof of address (POA) matter that led her to be investigated by the police.

Also read: Ward 66 councillor denies criminal investigation

This follows allegations made by another media house on November 23 that Solomon had signed a POA that contained false information and had assisted a criminal to be granted bail.

Outcomes of the investigation:

The DA’s provincial executive committee (Pec) met on November 24 to investigate the matter and this was the outcome:

1. The address in question is in the ward under the jurisdiction of councillor Solomon.
2. Solomon was contacted by a detective who did not know that the address was in Solomon’s ward, despite the councillor repeatedly telling them it was.
3. It is not the job of a councillor to verify residential addresses for bail applications. This is the responsibility of the police.
4. The police and national prosecuting authority (NPA) have attempted to shift the weight of their responsibility in bail verification processes to a local councillor, which is unheard of and deeply irregular.
5. There is no history or proof that the journalist in the original article had attempted to contact Solomon.

Also read: Southlands Sun 29 November 2024

The Pec said they were of the view that there was no improper behaviour by councillor Solomon and that she had acted innocently and without malice in the discharge of her duties.

“The system of councillors issuing POA is fundamentally flawed and places too much responsibility on a councillor who cannot be expected to physically verify the hundreds of requests that are taken to their office on a daily and weekly basis. It is unreasonable that the police and NPA have effectively delegated their investigative duties in a bail application, relying on a POA from a councillor rather than doing their own work,” said Macpherson.

He added the actions of the detective [in threatening the arrest of Solomon] might have been an abuse of power and should be referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.

Macpherson said the party threatened to refer a media house to the press ombudsman because it had published the allegations without affording Solomon a fair opportunity to respond.

“The DA KZN Pec stands fully behind, and in support of, councillor Solomon. It is clear that individuals within the police and NPA failed to do their job and, in an attempt to cover for their blunder, attempted to scapegoat councillor Solomon when the facts became clear,” Macpherson said.

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