The GOOD Party does not cover up evidence of wrongdoing against its public representatives, pay for their legal defence or redeploy them. It holds them to account.

Following a disciplinary hearing last month, the party has terminated the membership of one of its Drakenstein Councillors, Edgar Arendse, reported him to the Independent Electoral Commission, and laid criminal charges with the Hawks under Section 34 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.

Arendse was found guilty on seven counts of fraud and breaching the Political Party Funding Act by a disciplinary hearing chaired by an independent expert.

The charges against Arendse related to him illegally soliciting “membership fees” and “funding” from GOOD members, and “donations” from members of the public. All of this money went straight into his pocket. None was declared to the party or deposited into its bank account as required by the Political Party Funding Act.

GOOD does not charge membership fees. It signs up members who are registered voters and subscribe to the party’s values and four pillars of spatial, social, economic and environmental justice.

GOOD members are cooperating with the Hawks’ investigation, and the law must take its course.

Former Springbok Rugby Coach and GOOD Mayoral Candidate, Peter De Villiers, has been nominated to return to lead the GOOD caucus the Drakenstein Council, while also representing the party on the Cape Winelands District Council.

 

Issued by Brett Herron, GOOD: Secretary-General & Member of Parliament