In a dramatic turn of events, ANC MPL Khalid Sayed today (August 14) named Noel Goliath as the Swellendam municipal official suspended amid the ongoing corruption probe, alleging that his suspension was an act of victimisation against a whistleblower.
The matter was raised during a sitting of the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, where Sayed claimed that two whistleblowers had been targeted.
“In the DA-led Swellendam Municipality, two brave individuals – one inside the municipality, one outside – uncovered a web of tender fraud: Leigh Johnson and Noel Goliath,” Sayed said.
“They found evidence of fabricated documents, falsified meetings, and tenders allegedly steered away from adjudicated winners towards the personal favourites of municipal insiders,” he added.
Swellendam Municipality confirmed the previous day (August 13) that one of its Supply Chain Management officials had been suspended on suspicion of corrupt activities. Swellendam Mayor Francois Du Rand told News62 that a criminal case had been opened at Swellendam SAPS.
After Sayed publicly named Goliath, News62 confirmed that the case opened against him relates to the accepting of bribes.
It is further believed that the payment Goliath allegedly received is only the tip of the iceberg, with municipal employees and politicians in no fewer than five other municipalities reportedly under investigation.
Goliath was approached for comment but declined, stating:
“Hi, sorry, I have already arranged to be interviewed by News24.”
