Maureen Catherine Basson was appointed as the new ZF Mgcawu district mayor following the resignation of former mayor and Kai !Garib ANC regional deputy chairperson Marius Louw.
MAUREEN Catherine Basson was appointed as the new ZF Mgcawu district mayor following the resignation of former mayor and Kai !Garib ANC regional deputy chairperson Marius Louw.
Louw, his wife and two co-accused were arrested by the Hawks in Upington on charges of fraud on June 17.
The accused allegedly purchased two vehicles at a local motor dealership in Upington through the submission of fraudulent documents to WesBank to grant them vehicle finance exceeding R1 million.
It is believed that a Golf VII valued at R975,207.90 (including finance charges) and a Ford Ranger with a total value of R709,130.85 (including finance charges) were purchased between 2017 and 2018.
ANC provincial secretary Deshi Ngxanga said on Monday that Louw had resigned out of his own accord last week.
“I did not have to remind him of the set-aside rule. I advised him that it was better not to have a dark cloud hanging over his head. Louw submitted his resignation as mayor in writing last week,” said Ngxanga.
He added that an acting mayor had been appointed in the meantime. “Three names will be submitted to the region to find a permanent replacement and a council meeting will be held this week to appoint a new mayor.”
Ngxanga stated that Louw would also temporarily step down as the Kai !Garib ANC deputy regional chairperson until the court proceedings were finalised.
“We will give him the necessary time and space and will address the matter when the time is right. If he is acquitted, he will be permitted to resume his duties as deputy regional chairperson.”
DA whip at Dawid Kruiper Municipality, Flip van der Steen believed that the decision of Louw to step aside would act as a precaution to “safeguard what was left of state resources”.
ZF Mgcawu District Municipality spokesperson Martha Manyehe said Basson was permanently appointed as the new executive mayor of ZF Mgcawu District during a special council meeting held on June 23.
“Basson was elected through a formal nomination and secret ballot voting process.”
She indicated that the vacancy had to be filled as a matter of urgency, in terms of the local government regulations.
“In her inaugural speech, the newly elected executive mayor pledged her commitment towards the smooth running of the institution and requested that council should put aside their political differences and always put the community first.”
Manyehe said that Basson had a wealth of experience in local government having served as Speaker and chairperson of the municipal public accounts committee of the district municipality.
