ActionSA has noted the claims emanating from the Newcastle Mayor in relation to the claims of water pollution against ActionSA Mayoral Candidate, Faizel Cassim. 

We take these allegations extremely seriously, given the gravity of water issues in our country. 

In this regard, companies have been appointed to conduct tests of the site and river system to determine the veracity of the claims by the Newcastle Mayor. 

ActionSA publicly commits itself to act openly and transparently on the outcomes of these reports. 

If our Mayoral Candidate has erred, we will act decisively and consistently with our commitment to ethical leadership. South Africans can expect this standard from ActionSA because our leaders have a track record on putting the South African people before politics. 

If, on the other hand, the tests demonstrate that the Newcastle Mayor and Municipality have utilised their positions of trust to wage a battle against the political opponents they most fear, ActionSA will utilise every instrument in our Constitution to ensure held them to account. 

The claim that the alleged pollution is a deliberate election campaign strategy is far-fetched and the municipality’s legal papers are shockingly loaded with political statements being made by municipal officials under oath. 

South Africans should be aware that the Newcastle Municipality has an appalling record of failed service delivery and corruption. Its current Mayor, Ntuthuko Mahlaba is currently in court defending allegations of assault, theft and malicious damage to property. Mahlaba is no stranger to the courts after having been tried with the murder of an ANCYL member before a key witness was murdered. 

ActionSA commits itself to acting ethically, transparently and in the interests of the people of Newcastle.

 

Issued by ActionSA National Chairperson Michael Beaumont