Democratic Alliance allegations of deception, collusion and overreaching were made against Christians regarding the rehabilitation and development of the Mayfair Bowling Club., who faces allegations of corruption and bribery, said he is looking forward to any investigation against him. He said an investigation will give him the opportunity to clear his name. The DA has asked its federal legal commission to investigate the conduct of one of its councillors. The commission is the body that conducts disciplinary proceedings against senior members of the party.
Allegations of deception, collusion and overreaching were made against Christians regarding the rehabilitation and development of the Mayfair Bowling Club.
It is alleged that Christians used his influence as a councillor, to have the usage of the Mayfair Bowling Club by an organisation known as Task Academy regularised. This was in spite of a proposal by the Johannesburg Development Agency to use the property for public benefit.
The report also alleged that Cllr Christians received kickbacks amounting to R 800 000. The report also alleged that Task Academy bribed Somalians with an amount of R10 000 each to remove their vehicles which were parked illegally at the facility.
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Dayalan Chetty, founder and Director of Task Academy, said, “It is shocking to see the level of deceit and dirty games leading up to the elections.
“Firstly, Task Academy is a non profit organization, which has been operating in the area for 27 years. Our school has been suffering owing to politics. Six years ago we were in talks with the then councillor, the late Cassim Osman, who approached us to utilize, regenerate and revive the bowling club. However, we were not interested at the time. But a year ago we asked our current councillor for directive on the process. We followed every step fairly, but to date we still have not even been able to get electricity at the facility.”
Chetty added, “ Our children are suffering. They are in a facility, which we had expectations, would aid in their development. However, these learners are struggling.Prior to this, the bowling club was derelict and was being used by prostitutes, vagrants, drug addicts and criminal elements. We helped with the clean up. The area has improved dramatically, However, we cannot invest any more, with all the issues at hand. There are still squatters on the premises, who cannot be removed owing to due process. According to a report that was leaked, the councillor was cleared of bribery charges. Therefore, this report is based on allegations that have no foundation. The only people suffering are children, parents, the non profit school, its employees and its community members.”
Chetty added, “We will be demanding for accountability and for damages, as this matter is causing severe harm to our community.
“We have evidence that the facility was approved to be used by Task Academy, by the MMC and the Director of Sports and Recreation and the Executive Director of Community Development.
However, it now seems Task Academy was illegally placed there by a councillor. Will Task Academy be blamed for bribing councillors as well? We have a document at our disposal that proves our case, and we demand answers.
“The facility is far from private, as is being inferred. The majority of the surrounding community utilize the facility and is working together to improve the area. We will not be silenced on this matter, neither will we be used as a scapegoat for political gains.”
Amir Sheik, the Somali South Africa chairperson stated, “We comprise 70 percent of the population around Task Academy and are in full support of the school. “We are ANC supporters. However we appreciate what the ward councillor has done for this ward. He has cleared out the area of drugs and prostitutes, which no one else could do. He values us and treats everyone equally. This is a problem for troublemakers who are used to getting their way, and when they don’t, they resort to playing dirty games. We stand by the councillor and know that he will come out clean. We hope that this will not impact on Task Academy and the bowling club, as that is our school and facility too. We will not be bullied by lies and corruption.”
Dada Morero of ANC Greater Joburg said, “The ANC believes that Christians violated the oath of his office by using his position to collect information or even bully officials to benefit a private business. Such flagrant abuse must not go unpunished. We want this matter thoroughly investigated. We demand that the allegation of bribery be investigated not by officials who report to Mashaba, whose conflict of interest on this matter is massive, but by a competent authority like the SAPS’s Hawks”.
However, Johannesburg Mayor, Cllr Herman Mashaba, has given the African National Congress an ultimatum to retract the ‘defamatory’ statement that it has made, or face a lawsuit.”
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