No conclusion could be drawn at this stage from allegations made before the Desai Commission of Inquiry, the Democratic Alliance’s Western Cape chairman Theuns Botha said on Saturday.
The party’s provincial management committee (PMC) had agreed that the internal and external processes to establish the facts around the issue had not been completed, he said in a statement.
The PMC met earlier on Saturday in Swellendam to discuss, amongst other things, allegations made by German fugitive businessman Jurgen Harksen before the commission that he had donated more than R1-million to the party.
Much of that money was apparently given to the man at the centre of the allegations, DA provincial leader and Cape Town mayor Gerald Morkel — a claim he denies.
Botha said the DA expected to receive the findings of an internal committee of inquiry during the week ahead.
”This inquiry will be supported by the findings of the independent audit into the party’s finances as well as those of Mr Morkel and (former finance MEC) Mr (Leon) Markowitz,” he said.
The national DA leadership on Thursday appointed auditors Ernst & Young to investigate the alleged donations.
”We have full confidence that these inquiries will get to the heart of the matter. The DA will base its position on factual evidence and not the demands of political opponents (for Morkel’s resignation) articulated through the media,” Botha said.
He also said the committee supported a proposal made by Morkel that he discuss with the Cape Town city council how the period ahead of the expected passing of floor-crossing legislation later this month would be managed.
Morkel is due to meet with the council on Monday to discuss the implications of the measure, which according to the party, could allow for councillors to cross-the-floor during a two-week period towards the end of June. – Sapa