MAYOR Dan Plato used his annual budget speech to lash out at the Hawks, saying the the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation seemed to be acting on false information provided to them about a case involving a DA councillor.
Table View councillor Nora Grose, 64, appeared in the Atlantis Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud and money laundering last week.
The Hawks said Grose, who handed herself over to the Hawks, allegedly facilitated the Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (Ters) funding along with chairperson of an NGO called the South African Religious Civic Organisation (Sarco).
“Those funds were allegedly used for personal gain.
“The Hawks alleged that she again colluded with Reuben Swartz, the chairperson of the same NGO, to siphon relief funds from the City of Cape Town.
“The humanitarian funds valued at R170 000 meant for the distribution of food parcels in Atlantis were reportedly funnelled to a church in Table View with links to some city officials,” the Hawks said.
Following her court appearance, the Hawks seemingly backtracked on their initial statement saying: “At this stage nothing links councillor Grose to Tersfunding as reported before.”
In his speech on Wednesday, Plato said: “The DA councillor who was last week accused of fraud is co-operating fully with the authorities.
“When allegations against her were first brought to our attention several weeks ago, the Speaker’s office launched a full investigation without delay and found no malpractice was committed.
“I am very concerned that the Hawks seem to be acting on false information provided to them, and have issued media statements that they had to correct a day later.”
“I trust that if anyone is found to have misled the Hawks, and wasted taxpayers’ money on manufactured witch hunts, that they will be held responsible.
“I have said it before, and I am saying it again today, our media have a responsibility to scrutinise the information they are given, instead of just printing the lies they are told,” he said.
Plato said that the City continued to provide Covid-19 relief funding to residents as it has done over the past year.
“With all this good work being done, I find it greatly disappointing that some shameless politicians are now trying to smear our critical relief efforts by making false accusations and throwing mud in the hope that some will stick, even after the truth has come out.
“We know that a lie can get halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.”
Hawks spokesperson Philani Nkwalase said they would not comment on Plato’s comments adding that: “We can only concern ourselves with that which is in court.”
“Grose was allegedly linked to the second part of the investigation regarding the City of Cape Town’s funds channelled to the church.
“The two matters were jointly investigated and Reuben Swartz was allegedly implicated in both incidents, as he seems to be the common factor while Grose was only implicated in the latter.
“It is regrettable that the earliest media release erroneously implicated her on Ters, which only deals with Swartz, her co-accused.
“We therefore profusely apologise for any confusion caused.
“The case of fraud and money laundering against Grose was remanded until June 21and she was released on R10 000 bail.
“The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation is committed to carrying out its investigative work without fear, favour or prejudice.
“We therefore wish to assure all South Africans that we are a directorate that embraces the Batho Pele principles which includes openness and transparency, redress and service standards.”