Attorneys representing ousted Independent Democrats Western Cape leader Lennit Max have queried the independence of the Scorpions in the latest development surrounding his long-running disciplinary hearing.
At the heart of the matter was testimony at the ID disciplinary hearing on February 21, where party national leader Patricia de Lille testified that she became aware from a source in the Scorpions that criminal charges were being investigated against her and party official Avril Harding.
In a letter to the Scorpions on Wednesday, Max’s lawyer, Leon van Rensburg, said the implication created by De Lille during her testimony was that her anonymous source had been of the opinion that ”sorting out” the matter inside the ID would be better than having it dealt with by the authorities.
”Ms De Lille refused to divulge the name or any further details of this source, or why the said source was confidential,” reads the letter, a copy of which was sent to the media on Thursday.
Van Rensburg said his client considered the matter in a serious light.
”When a criminal matter has been reported to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, we cannot understand how it is at all possible that a member of the Scorpions can call someone against whom allegations of corruption have been made, as is the case with Ms De Lille in this instance.
”Especially having been told that she was such a subject, the actions of this member of the Scorpions is highly suspect and may in itself constitute unlawful interference with an ongoing investigation.”
The charges related to allegations from Max that De Lille and Harding had accepted R300 000 from an alleged Cape Town crime boss.
The allegations were contained in a taped telephonic conversation between Max and De Lille’s driver, Shaun August, in which August confirmed his presence at the time the money was allegedly collected.
De Lille and Harding have denied the charge, which is one of six Max faces of bringing the party into disrepute and of misconduct.
According to Van Rensburg, De Lille’s testimony at the disciplinary hearing cast a ”serious shadow of doubt” on the independence of the investigation against De Lille by the Scorpions.
Van Rensburg said his client is fearful that this secret source could interfere with ongoing investigations.
He wants the name of the source revealed and wants to find out why the telephone call was made to De Lille and what was discussed, according to this source.
Van Rensburg also wants to ascertain whether the investigation is ongoing and independent, and needs assurances that there will be no interference in the ongoing and pending investigations.
Attempts to reach Western Cape director of public prosecutions Rodney de Kock for comment were unsuccessful. — Sapa