A DA councillor in George continues to serve as a deputy mayor despite his party suspending him from all organisational activities over allegations of misconduct involving a matric pupil and other young people.
The George council had resolved not to haul deputy mayor, Raybin Figland before a disciplinary hearing after an internal investigation apparently found that the evidence presented was inconclusive.
However, the GOOD Party has revived calls for mayor Jackie Von Brandis to suspend her deputy pending a fresh investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct.
The party claims that Figland was allegedly involved in a relationship with a matric pupil and other young people, an allegation the deputy mayor has denied.
“It has now come to GOOD’s attention that the DA’s own investigation found shocking prima facie evidence of serious misconduct. An investigation by the DA’s Federal Legal Commission confirmed that Figland (allegedly) blackmailed a matric pupil to provide nude photographs of a sexual nature,” said GOOD George councillor Chantelle Kyd.
She said the deputy mayor allegedly threatened to expose the girl's relationship with another boy to her parents if she did not comply.
“The girl in question was traumatised by the events and eventually dropped out of school. After meeting with the girl, the (DA) Commission suggested the party ‘pay for counselling and psychological treatment to address the trauma resulting from her interaction with a senior Party official’,” said Kyd.
She said the alleged incident took place in 2022 and was brought to the attention of the DA’s Western Cape leader Tertuis Simmers in October 2023.
“Despite the DA’s internal investigation concluding in February this year, the party has failed to act,” said Kyd.
Approached for comment, Figland denied the allegations, saying: “I do not know who has found that I have sent any photos to anyone, this is news to me.
“Whoever has any proof of this should provide this. I was subjected to an investigation conducted by George Council. This was done by a respected legal practitioner in George and the findings of the report together with recommendation was presented to the speaker who has asked for the investigation. These findings were presented to Council. I cannot comment on the other allegations as I am currently in a disciplinary hearing being conducted by the Democratic Alliance against me,” Figland said.
Simmers said: “The FLC report being referred to is part of an internal party process not fully concluded yet.
“The final recommendations must still serve before Fedex. The DA Western Cape respects the rights of all parties concerned in this matter. Councillor Figland remains suspended from all party political activities, but remains the deputy mayor as elected by the George council in 2021.”
George municipality said the mandate for action from the side of the municipality lies with the Speaker of Council. “Council accepted the outcome of an internal investigation undertaken being that no further action was required. Council resolved on 26 July 2024 not to proceed with disciplinary actions against Councillor R Figland on the alleged breach, based on the finding that there is no evidence to proceed to act on the matter, as the evidence presented was inconclusive. The matter was therefore concluded by the municipality,” said George municipality spokesperson Chantel Edwards.
Anti-gender-based violence activist Reverend June-Dolley Major called on the municipality to suspend Figland.
Ilitha Labantu spokesperson Siyabulela Monakali said the alleged conduct raised serious “ethical and moral questions”. “We firmly believe that the alleged actions of Mr. Figland are not just inappropriate; they represent a significant power disparity that can lead to exploitation,” he said.
Cape Times