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ANC plans to lay criminal charges against suspended Melissa Whitehead

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The African National Congress in the Cape Town City Council says it plans to lay criminal charges against City Transport Commissioner, Melissa Whitehead.

She was placed on suspension on Friday following a special closed council sitting. Whitehead is accused of a range of offences, including misconduct and tender manipulation.

Whitehead, Mayor Patricia de Lille and former City Manager Achmat Ebrahim have been accused of allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

Ebrahim resigned earlier this week.

ANC leader Xolani Sotashe says while they welcome Whitehead’s suspension, political principals should also take responsibility.

“The report itself speaks about prima facie evidence. So, if you have that, it gives us the grounds to lay charges against Melissa Whitehead, because we are not talking here about thousands of rands; we are talking about millions. We ordered buses not chassis. Melissa Whitehead instead of bringing buses to Cape Town she brought chassis and then she lied to the auditor general to review all the audit outcomes of the City of Cape Town for the last three or four years.”

Mayor Patricia De Lille says Whitehead is likely to remain under suspension for the next three months.

“In terms of the legislation, it says that the investigation into any section 57 executive must be completed within 90 days and then the investigations must bring a report to council and then council will then decide what to do.”

It’s understood that an investigation into de Lille was ordered following allegations that she prevented Ebrahim from reporting allegations against Whitehead to the council.

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