City wants Jaftha fined, but ANC seek axing

Francesca Villette

THE City’s disciplinary committee wants DA councillor Willie Jaftha fined R20 000 after he sought clemency for a convicted gangster, but the ANC in council still wants him axed.

ANC leader in council Tony Ehrenreich yesterday condemned a plan to recommend to the council next month that Jaftha should be fined.

The City’s disciplinary committee chairperson Anthea Serritslev told the Cape Times yesterday of the committee’s intention.

Jaftha, the Belhar ward councillor, was investigated by both the DA and the City after he, using a City letterhead, wrote a letter in support of Riyaaz Dennis who was one of 28s gang boss George “Geweld” Thomas’s 16 hitmen.

The DA sanctioned Jaftha earlier this month to complete six months of community service, write a letter of apology to be published in all the major Cape Town newspapers and host two public meetings in his community to apologise for his lack of judgement.

Dennis was convicted and sentenced on 13 charges, including murder, incitement to murder, illegal possession of firearms and racketeering, in the Western Cape High Court.

He was handed a 20-year sentence for murder and 42 years for the other charges.

Ehrenreich said Jaftha’s actions had proved that he was not fit for public office and that he should be relieved of duty.

“One of the greatest challenges facing poor communities is the scourge of gangsterism,” Ehrenreich said.

“(Jaftha) should not be allowed to be in public office.”

Jaftha previously said when he wrote the letter he was responding to a plea from a mother.

He pleaded guilty to breaching a section of the City’s Code of Conduct saying that councillors would not use their positions to benefit another person.

Serritslev said the City accepted Jaftha’s plea and said he showed remorse.

Jaftha would not comment yesterday.

francesca.villette@inl.co.za

@FrancescaJaneV