The Erasmus Commission of Inquiry probing Cape Town’s ”spy saga” is calling for public submissions on the matter.
The commission, headed by Judge Nathan Erasmus, has already started studying all available documentation relating to the issue, commission secretary Zithulele Twala said on Wednesday.
By Wednesday next week, the commission will publish notices in the media ”informing the public of its existence”, along with a notice calling on interested parties to make written or oral submissions.
The closing date for such submissions is Friday December 28, Twala said.
A hotline has also been established for people wanting to give information. The toll-free number, Tel: 0800 005 315, will operate 24 hours, seven days a week. Information provided on the hotline anonymously will be investigated and verified before being passed on to the commission.
Hearings are expected to be held in the second half of January at the earliest, Twala said.
The commission was appointed by Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool last Friday to probe allegations of possible maladministration, corruption and fraud in the City of Cape Town.
The members of the commission are Erasmus; George Papadakis, curator of the Fidentia case; local government expert Herdie Vermeulen; attorney Zithulele Twala; and advocate Frans Petersen, who will lead evidence for the commission.
The commission will probe the city’s conduct during its investigation into councillor Badih Chaaban, following claims the council had employed underhand tactics when gathering evidence against the controversial councillor.
The inquiry will also establish whether the city paid for work done by George Fivaz and Associates or any other service provider relating to the matter before they were appointed by the city — and whether the payment was lawfully made and if policies of the council structures were transgressed.
The commission is expected to deliver its report to the premier by January 31 next year. — Sapa