Chair, firstly, if all of these allegations are correct, then what is going on is outrageous and reinforces the case for us to intensify our campaign against corruption.
Obviously the law - the legal and investigative processes - must take its course. However, there is nothing to stop Mr Bloem from writing a formal complaint. Maybe you should write to me directly rather than to the acting Minister, and I will forward your letter to the investigating authorities to expedite the matter.
We don't know about these matters and we can't sit in Parliament and decide on the guilt or otherwise of those involved. Regrettably - I'm not saying that this is necessarily such a case - what does happen, elsewhere in the world too and not least here in our own country as an emerging democracy, is that if you want to deal with your political adversary, you will tend to smear them, and one way of doing so is to accuse them of corruption. We have repeatedly said that we must separate political smearing from genuine cases of corruption. If this is a genuine case of corruption, let the law take its course and let us all - not only the municipality, but also the MEC and the provincial legislature, you as the national legislature, and we as government - learn the lessons.
So, can you please write to us so that we can send the letter to the relevant investigating authorities? We will also CC the letter to the municipal officials and councillors of that municipality. We think that this should be thoroughly pursued. Yes, indeed.