Former GOOD Party MPL, Shaun August, has been embroiled in a police investigation over fraudulent travel, accommodation and entertainment claims he allegedly made to the Western Cape Legislature.
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These allegations stem from a member of the public in connection with a claim to the amount of R300, the Western Cape Provincial Parliament (WCPP) said.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed to IOL that a fraud case had been registered for investigation.
“Kindly be advised that the mentioned case number is a fraud case registered at Cape Town Central SAPS for investigation. No arrest as yet; investigation continues,” he said.
According to WCPP spokesperson Matthys Odendal, the allegations formed part of internal processes.
“Allegations regarding claims submitted by Mr August to the Westen Cape Provincial Parliament (WCPP) while he was still a Member of the WCPP have been submitted to the WCPP by the GOOD Party for investigation, following an alleged allegation by a member of the public regarding a claim to the amount of R300. These are all forming part of our internal processes, which have not been concluded,” he said.
Meanwhile, August, who recently joined the DA following his dismissal from GOOD, denied the allegations, calling them an attempt by the party to tarnish his name.
“I await the investigation from SAPS, and I will ill deal with the matter accordingly.
“It is strange that when I was an MPL, nothing of this sort was brought forward. Now an anonymous letter suddenly came to light with no substance or no base. This is because GOOD knows I’m approaching the Hawks, and they are trying to fight and tarnish my name and discredit me before I expose them further,“ he said.
GOOD secretary-general and member of Parliament Brett Herron said they were aware of the investigation.
“As we understand it, August is alleged to have committed fraudulent reimbursement claims, which is what the DA claimed Masizole Mnqasela, former Speaker, was fired for.
“An authentic GOOD member should never be in a highly paid position and be abusing access to public funds for self-enrichment,“ he said.
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Picture: Gallo Images/Ziyaad Douglas