Gayton McKenzie is under scrutiny for alleged corruption after a court ordered him to reveal the financial details of a gala dinner.
Gayton McKenzie under scrutiny over Sandton gala dinner
The Western Cape High Court, on Monday, mandated McKenzie and a law firm associated with the Patriotic Alliance (PA) to provide detailed financial records concerning a gala dinner held in Sandton in 2022.
This event, which raised R3 million, was purportedly organised to fund service delivery projects in the Karoo.
The court’s directive forms part of a Section 106 investigation initiated by Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Anton Bredell.
This probe aims to uncover any evidence of maladministration, fraud, corruption, and other serious misconduct within the municipality.
The investigation focuses specifically on how the funds raised from the gala dinner were utilized during McKenzie’s tenure as mayor.
The court has instructed the law firm Botha E & Erasmus Y Inc. to submit all relevant documents related to the fundraiser.
This includes agreements, memoranda, and documentation that detail the allocation and use of the funds.
The court’s order follows a motion filed by Bredell in August 2023, seeking a forensic investigation into allegations of financial irregularities linked to McKenzie’s projects, including efforts to replace bucket systems and repair public pools in the Central Karoo District.
Responding to the court’s decision, the PA’s head of legal, Eugene Botha, stated that the order required the law firm and service providers to share certain limited documents and redacted private bank statements.
These documents are to be reviewed to determine if there was any maladministration related to McKenzie’s initiatives.
The Central Karoo District Municipality, where McKenzie served as mayor, is governed by a coalition comprising the PA, the African National Congress (ANC), and the Karoo Democratic Force (KDF).
Local municipalities within the district, such as Laingsburg and Beaufort West, are also under the governance of this coalition, whereas Prince Albert is governed by the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The DA and the PA have frequently been at odds, with tensions flaring over various issues, including the controversial gala fundraiser.
In a statement released prior to the elections, the PA acknowledged the investigation but downplayed its significance, asserting that the municipality had cooperated fully with the probe.
Despite this, the allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement continue to cast a shadow over McKenzie’s political career and the Patriotic Alliance’s recent electoral success.
The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for McKenzie and the PA, potentially impacting their credibility and future in South African politics.
