DA Federal Council chairperson Helen Zille has attempted to pour cold water on the criminal complaint lodged against her by National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams. Graphic: Mallory Munien. Pictures: African News Agency
POLICE are investigating a case of defeating the ends of justice lodged against chairperson of the Federal Council of the Democratic Alliance (DA), Helen Zille.
National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams opened a case at Cape Town Central Police Station on Monday.
This comes after concerns were raised following comments by Zille claiming prior knowledge of the raids conducted at the offices of Safety and Security boss and DA deputy federal chairperson JP Smith, and Mayco member for Energy Xanthea Limberg at the civic centre on Friday.
SAPS spokesperson André Traut confirmed a case was opened and is under investigation.
"This office can confirm that a defeating the ends of justice case was registered this morning at Cape Town Central police station. The circumstances are being investigated," Traut said.
"The identities of the parties concerned cannot be disclosed by SAPS."
Adams said that Zille has a case to answer and he was tired of her questioning their competency.
"If you listen to Helen Zille, people like me don't know what they're doing. We don't have the necessary skills to do certain jobs.
"She has confessed that she has been tipped off into the investigation into the alleged criminality of JP Smith. That is a contravention of the law. We presume it's a policeman (who) has given her information that could have allowed them to destroy whatever they needed to."
Taking to social media, Zille said: "Radio broadcasts are reporting the absurd claim that I should be charged with ‘Defeating the Ends of Justice’ in relation to the police search of JP Smith's office.
“(The complainant’s) argument is that, as I was tipped off last year about a possible search of JP's office, I could have warned him to destroy any incriminating evidence. This is absurd because it was JP Smith who tipped me off.
“I have stated this publicly, repeatedly. Yet they continue to argue that I tipped JP Smith off about something that he had tipped me off about.
"My real question is: Knowing this, as they should, why do the media even entertain this nonsense?
"The police and criminal justice system have important work to do, and politicians trying to score points against an opponent, should not waste their time."
Meanwhile, the case against the City of Cape Town staffer who was arrested in Friday’s raids was withdrawn due to insufficient evidence.
SAPS spokesperson Andrè Traut said the investigation was related to the construction mafia and tender fraud.
“I can confirm that a 30-year-old male was arrested at the civic centre for defeating the ends of justice by withholding evidence. He is scheduled to appear at Cape Town Magistrate’s Court once charged.”
The City staffer allegedly refused to hand over electronic devices requested by the police.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said: “I can confirm that the matter was not enrolled as charges were withdrawn. There was insufficient evidence to secure any conviction on the matter.”
Cape Times