This complaint addresses fraud in the town of Oudtshoorn and allegedly involves DA Mayoral candidate Chris MacPherson.

I submit to the political and the administrative, addressing DA Federal Executive Chair Helen Zille and Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.

THE SECRET AIRPORT ACCOUNT

This audio recording, circa 2012/2013, allegedly features (then DA Speaker) Christopher Macpherson and Charles Meyer (ex- Chair of the external Audit Committee).

One of the biggest scandals in Oudtshoorn at the time was the estimated 2000 Chinese aeroplane training flights per month, with no money going to the bankrupt Municipality that was meant to be the Public’s custodian of the airport. I attach a Noseweek article as a reminder of the situation.

The secret bank account referred to in the recording, must be identified. Who was involved and what happened to the money which could have been in the tens of millions?

Download the secret recording of the meeting.

CHRIS MACPHERSON’S ALLEGED TENDER FRAUD

Attached are screenshots from what was labelled as ‘Management Report’. It refers to MacPherson’s undeclared involvement with High-Tech Auto Engineering that had received a tender for R131,817. It recommends that MacPherson be investigated for fraud. Was he investigated? Or was it pushed under the carpet by the DA when the DA-led Western Cape Government placed the town under administration?

THE DA’S ILLEGAL ATTEMPT TO MAKE THE PUBLIC PAY

Chris MacPherson

MacPherson was allegedly one of the DA councillors who participated in what was referred to as the Nel agreement. Refer to my 2014 blog, ‘Devil in the DA Deal’, part one and part two.

The consequence was that the DA illegally attempted to saddle the citizens of Oudtshoorn with the DA’s legal bills. That was estimated to be between R700,000 and R4,500,000? Who eventually paid it, and where’s the proof so that it can be shown that the Public didn’t?

At the minimum, it was attempted fraud and a breach of ethics by MacPherson and his accomplices.

DA’S OPINION OF MACPHERSON MIRACULOUSLY IMPROVES

Explain the DA’s incongruity:

• Chris MacPherson shouldn’t have been on the 2016 PR list because the DA knew his history.
• He was ranked so low that he couldn’t become a councillor despite the DA ‘winning’ the majority of seats.
• On 3 July 2020, the DA announced that MacPherson was their Mayoral Candidate, and issued the following propaganda [read the full version here]: “5 candidates were interviewed. The candidates were required to submit a detailed written assignment. They then each underwent an in-depth interview before the 20-member Selection Panel, in which they were questioned on their vision for the future of Oudtshoorn, their understanding of the challenges facing Oudtshoorn, financial sustainability and their plan to address these challenges. Each candidate was then scored by the panel, and these scores were combined to yield a result. This result was then approved by the DA’s Federal Executive before considered finalised. After this rigorous process, the DA is pleased to announce that Chris Macpherson has been nominated as the DA’s Mayoral Candidate for Oudtshoorn.” 

REMOVING THOSE IN MOST CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Anton Bredell doubles as MEC Local Government and DA Western Cape Chairperson. He’s in a conflict of interest in Oudtshoorn and, thus, must be excluded from participation in the investigation and possible disciplinary action against MacPherson and his accomplices.

The same applies to James Selfe, the DA’s local government strategist, and Eleanore Spies, the DA’s Constituency representative. Consequently, only those who appear to be ranked higher can act.

MEC Local Government and DA Western Cape Chairperson Anton Bredell

Additionally, you still haven’t responded to my previous complaints against Bredell and Selfe, for sedition and political interference in the administration, and against Spies, for fraud in Knysna.

The DA (from which Premier Alan Winde is inseparable) has a habit of supporting or deploying compromised individuals. I believe that’s so that they become defenders of DA corruption. Consequently, it would’ve been logical of me to expose Chris MacPherson after he became Mayor in one week. However, Oudtshoorn is unable to operate and needs a Council, possibly even a bad one. Consequently, I’m allowing you to act now.

The DA will either ignore as usual or use its compromised DA Federal Legal Commission.

The Western Cape Government can escape its bias by having an external auditor investigate or, better yet, request assistance from the National Government.

Please explain your actions going forward. Separately or simultaneously, send me a response before I publish on Sunday.

Oudtshoorn and the Western Cape are more important than the DA.

OTHERS CONTACTED

Chris MacPherson has failed to respond. If he’s innocent, he must prove it. If he’s guilty, he should resign and vigorously aid investigation to mitigate his circumstances. If he does neither, or lies, then it will be clear that the DA has promised to protect him, as they have so many others.

The first book about DA corruption. Over 2500 downloads so far.

I CCied the DA Federal Executive in the unlikelihood that Helen Zille is removed from her position for her racist tweet.

I CCied the DA’s opposition. the ANC’s Cameron Dugmore and GOOD’s Brett Herron with the Constitutional expectation that they act as oversight.

I will forward to COGTA as they’re currently looking into several matters in the Garden Route District.

I laid a complaint with Reggie Smit, Director Corporate Services and de facto Municipal Manager. He too has failed to respond.

On 17 July 2020, I emailed this complaint to Helen Zille and Alan Winde. The same day, I emailed a complaint to Oudtshoorn’s Director of Corporate Services,  Reggie Smit, whose acting as Municipal Manager whilst Allen Paulse is suspended for alleged fraud. Previously, the DA tried to protect Paulse, and instead attacked their own Mayor Colan Sylvester who had ordered an investigation. Sylvester quit during the disciplinary which he considered intimidation.

The residents of Oudtshoorn must be exhausted by ostrich metaphors. May they forgive me as I attempt telling their story to people further away.

Read: ‘The not-so-secret Webber Wentzel investigation into Oudtshoorn’

This is #Day 29 of my 100 Days of Activism against Corruption.