Emfuleni councillor Gerda Seneekal resigns after son’s arrest over alleged municipal fraud

Emfuleni Local Municipality councillor Gerda Seneekal has resigned following the arrest of her son, David Seneekal, who is among seven municipal employees accused of defrauding the cash-strapped municipality.

Seneekal submitted her resignation to the municipal Speaker on 25 August, days after the seven employees appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court facing allegations relating to fraud at Emfuleni.

The accused are David Seneekal, Caroline Smangele Maduna, Kenneth Zongezile Mahobe, Hlawutelo Baloyi, Pule Meshack Masilo, Andries Bafana Maduna and Sibusiso Patrick Tshabalala.

The arrests were welcomed by the Emfuleni mayor, who called on the police to work swiftly to ensure that more people allegedly involved in the scheme are brought to book.

The mayor said the municipality welcomed the arrests and urged law enforcement agencies to continue with their investigations so that all those allegedly responsible could face justice.

In her resignation letter, Seneekal said the decision was not one she had taken lightly, adding that she had devoted many years to serving the residents of Emfuleni.

She said her son’s case must be dealt with through the criminal justice system and stressed that he was entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence.

“I wish to make it absolutely clear that the allegations against my son are matters for the criminal justice system to determine,” Seneekal said.

She said her own record as a councillor should be judged independently of the allegations against her son.

“I will not allow allegations against another individual, including a member of my family, to erase or define the years of work I have done in service of this community,” she said.

Seneekal said her resignation was made in the interests of the municipality, its residents and the principles of public accountability she had sought to uphold.

She also thanked the Freedom Front Plus for allowing her to serve in public office and criticised the Democratic Alliance for what she described as political support when it suited its interests.

Despite stepping down, Seneekal said she would continue to care about Emfuleni and its residents.

“I may be leaving the Council Chambers, but I am not walking away from Emfuleni or from the residents I have served,” she said.

She requested that her resignation be formally noted and that the necessary processes be followed to declare the resulting council vacancy.