Cape Town – Western Cape Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz has been suspended with immediate effect pending a probe into “serious allegations” levelled against him.
Reports on Monday said that Premier of the Western Cape Alan Winde’s office issued a statement on Sunday, January 23, citing “serious allegations of misconduct” made against Fritz.
According to The Citizen, although the nature of the allegations were not disclosed, Winde said the “serious allegations pertaining to the conduct” of Fritz were brought to his attention this week.
He said that Fritz had offered his full cooperation in the investigation.
“I have summoned the MEC and informed him of these allegations, as well as my decision to suspend him with immediate effect, which he has accepted.
“I have initiated a full investigation which must proceed on an unhindered basis. MEC Fritz has offered his full cooperation in this investigation,” IOL quoted Winde as saying.
Meanwhile, political parties have raised concern over the manner in which Fritz was suspended.
They demanded to know the reasons that led to the suspension, saying they were of public interest.
GOOD party Secretary-general Brett Herron called for transparency, saying that the residents of the Western Cape were owed answers.
“The premier owes it to the people of the Western Cape to explain what the suspension is about, and to give some indication as to whether the allegations are related to performance in his office or matters related outside of his official office as a member of the executive council,” Cape Argus quoted Herron as saying.
Ok, the suspension of @AlbertFritz_ by @alanwinde is real. Now we need some facts. This cannot be handled behind closed doors where @Our_DA is basically secretly investigating itself again.
1. What are the nature of the allegations?
2. How long has @Our_DA known about them? pic.twitter.com/6E8AqIv7F6— Brett Herron ?? (@brettherron) January 24, 2022
ANC MPL Cameron Dugmore concurred, saying that Winde needed to immediately provide reasons why he suspended Fritz.
“Alan Winde needs to immediately provide reasons why he has suspended MEC for Community Safety Albert Fritz this evening. We also need to know when did Winde first hear about these allegations ? Only this week , or previously ?” he said.
Alan Winde needs to immediately provide reasons why he has suspended MEC for Community Safety Albert Fritz this evening . We also need to know when did Winde first hear about these allegations ? Only this week , or previously ?
— cameron dugmore (@camerondugmore) January 23, 2022
Winde said in the issued statement that the nature of the allegations would be revealed “in due course”.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Picture: Twitter/@AlbertFritz_
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Odwa Shumi
