Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille faces criminal charges over claims she asked for a payment in relation to a potential deal involving fire extinguishers.
According to EWN, De Lille allegedly asked for R5-million from Vanderbijlpark businessman Anthony Faul in 2012.
Faul alleges de Lille told him he stands to make a lot of money from the business venture.
De Lille responded on Twitter on Sunday saying she hadn’t been informed by the SAPS of charges brought against her.
MEDIA STATEMENT BY PATRICIA DE LILLE
Based on media reports today, it has come to my attention that criminal charges have apparently been laid against me by the Democratic Alliance.
I have not been formally notified of these charges by the South African Police Service (SAPS).— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) February 4, 2018
“Should criminal charges have been laid against me, I will cooperate openly and transparently with the SAPS. I deny and reject the reported allegations with the contempt it deserves,” De Lille said.
De Lille questioned why Faul waited five years to come forward, and why he went to the DA instead of the police.
The product is an automatic fire extinguisher and “is ideally suited for informal settlements”, according to the report.
Last week, the DA also announced a motion of no confidence will be debated in the City Council on 15 February.
The timing of this latest move raises many questions such as why this man, Anthony Faul is conveniently coming forward now when the DA is charging me for other matters.
Firstly, why did he go to the DA first instead of going to the police?
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) February 4, 2018
I have repeatedly asked for a fair process yet the handling of this matter and the treatment towards me are clearly attempts to sway public perception against me instead of giving me a fair opportunity to state my case and to test the allegations properly.
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) February 4, 2018
It is becoming increasingly obvious that the concerted efforts to damage my reputation and the haste to get rid of me is reaching desperate heights each day.
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) February 4, 2018