Jock McConnachie has raised the stakes in the fight over former political party, Makana Independent New Deal (Mind), by laying a complaint with the Public Protector and the Auditor General.
Jock McConnachie has raised the stakes in the fight over former political party, Makana Independent New Deal (Mind), by laying a complaint with the Public Protector and the Auditor General.
This follows the ongoing disagreement between himself and former Mind councillor in the Makana council, Devon Waldick, whom he accused of accepting money not due to him.
Speaking to Grocott’s Mail yesterday McConnachie, Mind's founder and former chairperson, said he had sent a letter to the Auditor General this week and was awaiting a reply.
“We are not going to relent on this one,” said McConnachie. “He owes the taxpayers of Grahamstown.”
Waldick was expelled from Mind in November last year, following his refusal to step down from Council. In order to make his seat vacant, the party sought to dissolve and de-register with the IEC in February.
However, he continued working and drawing a councillor’s salary and perks, McConnachie said. McConnachie expressed outrage about Waldick’s salary as a councillor and claimed that legally he was required to pay the money back.
Complaints were raised against the former acting Municipal Manager, Thembinkosi Myalato, as well as the IEC, for their failure to act in terms of the Municipal Structures Act.
According to this legislation, McConnachie said, Waldick’s position on Council should have ceased immediately after he was expelled from his party and a vacancy should have been declared within seven days.
“If [the money]isn't going to be recovered from Waldick, then it should be recovered from the Acting Municipal Manager. He was responsible for not acting on Waldick's expulsion as he was obliged to do in terms of the Municipal Structures Act and as the legal opinion confirmed,” said McConnachie.
