The DA-led City of Cape Town has defended its decision to pay the legal fees – now amounting to approximately R476 000 – for fraud-accused DA councillor Nora Grose who faces charges of misappropriating City funds.
In May 2021, the ward 23 councillor was released on R10 000 bail after appearing in the Atlantis Magistrate’s Court under accusations of fraud and money laundering relating.
Also read: COVID-19 relief ‘fraud’: DA councillor Grose released on R10 000 bail
Grose’s case is ongoing in the Bellville Commercial Crimes Court.
“Should councillor Grose be found innocent, the City will consider recovering the legal costs from the prosecution,” says City council speaker Felicity Purchase.
News 24 reported that Purchase declined to elaborate on the cost of Grose’s legal fees.
“The City of Cape Town is unable to provide the total legal costs at this stage. Numerous postponements by the State, notwithstanding the lack of evidence against councillor Grose, have led to ongoing legal costs in this case,” says Purchase.
She did however stress that City councillors and employees who are granted legal representation were informed that the City maintains a right of recourse for recovery of any expenditure incurred in terms of policy if a finding is made against them.
Brett Herron, GOOD Party MP claimed the City had already spent R476 000 on her defence.
“The mayor must explain why the residents of the City must pay for Grose’s legal fees given that the charges essentially amount to this DA councillor defrauding the people of the City. The abuse of public funds is obscene and unjustifiable,” says Herron.
Herron added Purchase’s explanation that the law allowed the DA to provide legal support to its councillor was unacceptable.
“The test is whether it is ethical and common sense. The DA also has a hypocrisy problem. They challenged the abuse of public funds to pay for former president [Jacob] Zuma’s legal defence – and they won the court case.”
According to IOL, Banele Majingo, leader of the opposition in the City Council said they were aware of these allegations and agrees that it is a “wasteful and fruitless expenditure of the public purse, and it is unethical to misuse ratepayers money like this. The ANC will approach the Office of Public Protector to investigate.”
Grose had initially been charged alongside Reuben Swarts, chairperson of the South African Religious Civic Organisation NGO, for allegedly fraudently claiming R297 800 from the Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (TERS) and using it for personal gain.
The Hawks soon after corrected their accusation to that of money laundering related to food parcels and for allegedly diverting money to a church which has ties to Grose.
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Picture: @AthiMtongana / Twitter