FF Plus slams Langeberg Municipality for blowing nearly R300k on ‘failed inquiry’ - IOL

Johnny Steenkamp (right) with FF Plus leader Corné Mulder after the disciplinary finding against Steenkamp was overturned by the provincial minister.

Langeberg Municipality has been accused of wasting nearly R300 000 of ratepayers’ money on a disciplinary inquiry against former deputy mayor Johnny Steenkamp, which ultimately came to nothing.

The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) claims the DA-led coalition initiated the disciplinary process against Steenkamp in June 2024 after he pointed out 87 errors in a proposed municipal budget.

The DA governs Langeberg Municipality in coalition with the People's Democratic Movement (PDM) and the Langeberg Independent Party (LIP).

In a statement, FF Plus Western Cape provincial chairperson Danie Acker described the inquiry as a political witch-hunt.

He said Steenkamp had been targeted after raising concerns about the budget, which allegedly cast the DA in a negative light.

The municipality’s legal team reportedly requested repeated postponements, delaying the process for months.

Acker said despite warnings from Steenkamp’s legal representative, advocate Gert van Niekerk, that the allegations were baseless, the inquiry proceeded.

Steenkamp was eventually found guilty on one charge by a majority in the council, and a sanction was imposed.

However, the finding and sanction were later overturned by Western Cape Local Government Minister Anton Bredell.

Acker said Bredell found there were no grounds for prosecution or a guilty finding and that the council had failed to comply with the rules of natural justice.

“It was clear from the outset that it was a political witch-hunt,” said Acker.

According to Acker, the matter was raised during a council meeting on October 21, when it was proposed that legal costs of R293 323 be recorded as wasteful and fruitless expenditure.

However, a proposal to investigate the matter further was rejected by the DA-controlled council.

“Ironically enough, a party that is all too eager to criticise others for wasting public funds is unwilling to accept responsibility when it has done the same,” he said.

Langeberg municipal manager Daniël Lubbe told IOL Media the matter remained under consideration by the council following Bredell’s response.

“As the matter has not yet been finally considered by Council, it would be inappropriate for the Municipality to comment on the substantive issues raised in your enquiry or to engage in matters that are still to be deliberated upon by Council.

“Information relating to these costs is contained in the report that was served before Council at its meeting of 21 October 2026,” he said.

He said the municipality would not provide further comment on the disciplinary process, the minister’s response or related matters until the council had considered the matter in full.