PLETTENBERG BAY NEWSFLASH - Bitou mayor Peter Lobese has labeled recent criticism of his spending habits a smear campaign by detractors.

Lobese came under fire in recent weeks after claims about “exorbitant” expenditure on a mayoral vehicle and personal security came to light.

It was claimed that Lobese spent just short of R60 000 and R200 000 per month on these respectively.

Questions and several follow-ups by Knysna-Plett Herald about these expenses did not elicit a response from the mayor’s office before going to print in both cases. 

Lobese said the failure to respond by the officials in question will be investigated.

Lobese said during a candid interview this week that these claims were warped and an attempt to “destroy my reputation”.

“I’ve been working for the municipality for 12 years now and have a clean record. It is also this good reputation which led the people of Bitou to put their trust in me and now there are some who want to destroy this,” Lobese said. 

Read previous stories:

• Bitou residents paying R260 000 for Mayor?
• Bitou residents paying dearly for Mayor's car

Read the full story in Thursdays' Knysna-Plett Herald, as well as online.

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