Africa-Press – South-Africa. Former Kannaland Independent Party (KIP) member Rodge Albertus is gearing up to take his party to court after his membership was terminated.
The Western Cape High Court had ordered the Kannaland acting municipal manager to declare a vacancy in the Kannaland council after the speaker’s (Albertus’) KIP membership was terminated.
The Kannaland Municipality took the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC), Local Government MEC Anton Bredell and the KIP to court to review and set aside Bredell’s decision to declare a vacancy, contending Albertus had ceased to hold office when the KIP terminated his membership.
The KIP terminated his membership on 29 July 2022, however, acting municipal manager Ian Avontuur refused to declare a vacancy as per IEC procedures.
Bredell then intervened via the Municipal Structures Act to notify the IEC to declare a vacancy.
Avontuur turned to court, arguing he did not have the authority.
Albertus said the decision to take the party to court was “not easy, but voters of Kannaland deserve to know the truth”.
“KIP was brought into existence, and I mention for the record that the founders of KIP were all former members of the Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa [Icosa].
“KIP was founded precisely to free the residents of Kannaland from Icosa. It is a sad day for the voters who voted for KIP to see KIP move back to Icosa,” he added.
KIP managed to secure one seat during the local government elections last year, while Icosa managed to secure the bulk of the votes, getting eight seats in the council.
Albertus said he did not use council money to pay his legal fees and added he would show bank statements as proof.
“The truth will set me free, and I am an advocate of the truth. To the community of Kannaland and the voters of KIP, I will issue a full press statement after my High Court hearing on the reasons my party members wanted to get rid of me,” he added.
The new KIP councillor, Peter-George Rooi, has alleged council money was being used for the application in support of Albertus.
He said they would do everything to recover that money.
Rooi added Albertus served in gross violation of the party’s mandate.
“Albertus had dismissed KIP’s integrity, structures, policies, procedures, and discipline and confirmed his contempt by ignoring his party leadership.
“This sad incident successfully negotiated by KIP; the party commits to serving the people of Kannaland with the dignity stolen by the mischiefs of a majority of councillors in supporting the illegitimate tenure of Albertus.
“KIP commits to good governance and will seek to unite all parties and all councillors who share the KIP values,” he said.
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