GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Garden Route District Municipality mayor, Memory Booysen, is being investigated for two issues that raised concern from the opposition parties and the community: a paid trip to Indonesia; and a possible 50-year lease agreement for the Calitzdorp Spa and De Hoek resorts in Kannaland and Oudtshoorn, to the same company that sponsored the trip.

DA Western Cape chair Anton Bredell said the Western Cape Government is currently conducting a full investigation into the matter. 

"The outcome of the investigation will determine what legitimate action the DA will take in this regard," said Bredell.

The mayor informed council of the investigation, which focuses on his trip to Indonesia last year September, during a district council meeting on Thursday 27 June. A forensic team of the Western Cape department of local government paid a visit to his office last Wednesday. Booysen said he also had to report why the Calitzdorp Spa and De Hoek resorts are the focus of attention. ''I had to submit all evidence and procedures to officials (about the trip),'' he said.

Booysen said he wanted to inform council fully because he did not want to read in the papers that they did not know about it.

More about the mayor
In what was his longest speech since he took the mayoral seat in 2016, Booysen gave councillors an overview of his background, studies, experience and leadership, referring also to his time as mayor of Bitou. He added that he has extensive knowledge of and experience in the hotel industry, which was his line of study. He said he wanted council to know more about him and his management style, since his management style is being investigated. The mayor explored the reasons and findings of his trip to Indonesia and, referring to the 50-year lease drama relating to the resorts, said he shares his vision and will keep informing people as he sees fit. ''My pronouncements are not council resolutions,'' said Booysen.

PBI leader Virgill Gericke said he will never stand in the way of development, but asked the mayor to make sure the right process is followed and that the community is being properly consulted. Ivan Mangaliso of the ANC said Booysen has not completely taken council in his confidence. He said it seems that council is being soft-soaped for an item that will come. ANC's Doris Xego said, ''We are the opposition and as touching as your speech was, we will not shy away from the truth.''

An item on the two resorts was due to serve in council, but was withdrawn pending the investigation.

The ANC's Doris Xego said, ''We are the opposition and as touching as your speech was, we will not shy away from the truth.''

Ivan Mangaliso of the ANC said Booysen has not completely taken council in his confidence, referring to the 50-year lease issue of the two resorts.

PBI leader Virgill Gericke said he will never stand in the way of development, but asked the mayor to make sure the process is right and that the community is being properly consulted.

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