Gayton McKenzie and Law Firm Ordered to Submit Documents in Corruption Probe

The Western Cape High Court has ordered Gayton McKenzie, the former mayor of the Central Karoo District Municipality and leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), to hand over documents related to a corruption investigation. This probe, initiated by Western Cape MEC for Local Government Anton Bredell, centers on allegations of maladministration, fraud, and corruption during McKenzie's tenure.

The investigation was triggered by concerns regarding a fundraiser held by McKenzie in Sandton in 2022, which aimed to support service delivery in the region. Despite raising R3 million, the funds were not deposited into the municipal coffers, raising suspicions of financial misconduct.

The court's ruling requires McKenzie and the law firm Botha E Erasmus Y Inc., linked to the PA, to provide comprehensive documentation related to the fundraiser. This includes copies of agreements, memoranda, invoices, receipts, and proof of payments related to McKenzie's 100-day projects.

Eugene Botha, the PA's head of legal, stated, 'There is nothing sinister in this matter, and the respondents, president Gayton McKenzie most of all, have always been willing to share this information, provided that certain limited documents and private bank statements are redacted to protect the privacy of individuals who have no relation to the matter in question.'

Why this matters: This matter has broader significance as it involves allegations of corruption and maladministration by a public official, which can erode trust in government institutions. If found guilty, it could lead to accountability and consequences for those involved, and potentially impact the way public funds are managed in the future.

McKenzie, who took office as mayor in April 2022 and resigned in May 2023, had promised to use the funds from the fundraiser to improve public amenities, such as fixing swimming pools and eradicating the bucket toilet system. However, an investigation by Daily Maverick found that only one pool was functional, and there were concerns about the financial and logistical upkeep of the new toilets.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has alleged that R3 million is missing from public funds, although the exact amount is still being determined. The DA's Western Cape leader, Tertuis Simmers, welcomed the court's ruling, stating, 'The DA welcomes the Western Cape High Court's ruling that PA president Gayton McKenzie must account for the funds he raised at an event in Sandton in his capacity as mayor of the Central Karoo District Municipality.'

McKenzie has argued that the funds raised 'were not municipal revenue and not monies received by the municipality for the purpose of relief.' He insisted that he acted in his personal capacity and used his own money to top up the revenue collected.

Despite McKenzie's claims, the court found that he used his position as mayor to attract funds and regularly alleged that he was using the money to benefit the municipality. This conduct falls within the mandate of the investigators to examine potential corruption and maladministration in the municipality.

The investigation continues as authorities seek to uncover the full extent of the alleged financial misconduct and ensure accountability for public funds.

Key Takeaways

• Gayton McKenzie, former mayor of Central Karoo District Municipality, must hand over documents related to a corruption investigation.
• The probe centers on allegations of maladministration, fraud, and corruption during McKenzie's tenure.
• A 2022 fundraiser raised R3 million, but the funds were not deposited into municipal coffers, sparking suspicions of financial misconduct.
• The court's ruling requires McKenzie to provide comprehensive documentation related to the fundraiser and his 100-day projects.
• The investigation aims to uncover the full extent of alleged financial misconduct and ensure accountability for public funds.