- The GOOD party says it will appoint an independent investigator following allegations of misconduct by party members during by-elections two months ago.
- The party only managed to garner 10% of the votes in Ward 2 in Witzenberg.
- GOOD's secretary-general, Brett Herron, says members are bound by the party's constitution and code of conduct.
The GOOD party has announced it will appoint an independent investigator to get to the bottom of allegations of misconduct against its members.
This was said to have affected the party's performance in a by-election in Witzenberg two months ago.
The party said its national management committee had resolved to appoint investigators to look into all complaints received by the party relating to Witzenberg.
This after the Weekend Argus reported disgruntled volunteers, who were part of the campaign, gave detailed statements about party members allegedly involved in sexting, partying and "sex parties", instead of garnering votes.
It is understood the election campaign cost the party R200 000.
GOOD only managed to garner 10% of the vote - a decline compared to the previous local government election results in the same ward.
On Tuesday, the party's secretary-general, Brett Herron, said the outcome of the by-election in Ward 2, Witzenberg, two weeks ago represented the party's first electoral setback since being established in 2019.
"GOOD is represented at all three levels of government, with more than 50 councillors elected in last year's local government election."
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Herron added the allegations were an opportunity to demonstrate how GOOD would like the other parties to deal with allegations levelled against their members.
"All GOOD members are bound by the party's constitution and code of conduct. The rules that bind our engagement are clear; there are no provisions for opaque step-aside rules, the weaponisation of allegations, or the unequal treatment of certain categories of members," he said.
The independent investigator will be appointed this week with a brief to look into all complaints received by the party relating to Witzenberg.
The report will be submitted to the party's national management committee.
"We will not put a timeframe to the process, but understand the need for speed. If the complaints are substantiated, the matter will follow the disciplinary process provided for in the Constitution.
"If the allegations don't stand up to scrutiny, those who have been implicated will have had the opportunity to clear their names," Herron said.
He added the party expected all their members and supporters to cooperate with the investigator to contribute to the integrity of the process.
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