Good party opens case with Hawks against ex-member over fraud allegations

[ad_1]

The Good Party has filed criminal charges against its Drakenstein adviser, Edgar Arendse. This after the party terminated its membership after being found guilty of seven counts of fraud and breaching the Political Party Funding Act. Arendse said he is currently reviewing the disciplinary outcome.

The Good Party has brought criminal charges against one of its former advisers amid allegations of fraud.

The party said it had approached the Hawks to launch an investigation into its Drakenstein adviser, Edgar Arendse.

He added that he had terminated his membership following a disciplinary hearing last month.

GOOD general secretary Brett Herron said the party reported him to the South African Electoral Commission and opened a case with the Hawks under section 34 of the Prevention and Prevention Act. fight against corruption.

READ | Ex-Springbok coach turned GOOD adviser Peter de Villiers takes over on board

“Arendse was found guilty of seven counts of fraud and violation of the law on the financing of political parties by a disciplinary hearing chaired by an independent expert.

“The charges against Arendse relate to his illegally soliciting ‘dues’ and ‘funding’ from GOOD members and ‘donations’ from members of the public. All of that money went straight into his pocket.”

Herron added that none were declared to the party or deposited in his bank account, as required by the Political Party Financing Act.

He said:

GOOD does not charge membership fees. It recruits members registered on the electoral lists and subscribing to the values ​​of the party and to the four pillars of spatial, social, economic and environmental justice.

Former Springbok rugby coach and GOOD mayoral candidate Peter de Villiers has been nominated to return to lead the Drakenstein Council caucus while representing the party on Cape Winelands District Council.

Hawks spokesman Zinzi Hani confirmed to News24 that a case has been opened.

“This office confirms that the BON party has lodged a complaint against one of its officials, and the investigation is ongoing,” she said.

Arendse added that he wanted to ask the party to retract the statement it released on Thursday about the Hawks’ investigation of him.

“I am currently busy with a statement. I will ask the party to withdraw their statement as the outcome of the disciplinary hearing is subject to review by the Western Cape High Court,” he told News24 when he has been contacted for comment.

[ad_2]