DA candidate in fraud probe

2006-06-08 08:54

Johannesburg - The Western Cape social services department is probing a case of fraud against the Democratic Alliance's Tafelsig by-election candidate and his wife, SABC television news reported on Wednesday.

This follows revelations that Sheval Arendse, a DA candidate, and his wife Pamela, have been receiving child support grants despite Arendse being employed as a councillor.

Arendse was vying for the much-contested Tafelsig ward seat, which may tip the balance of power in the Cape metro, currently under the leadership of the DA's Helen Zille.

Records revealed Pamela Arendse in receipt of a child support grant of R190 per month, the SABC reported, quoting Henry de Grass, a director of social security and disaster relief in the department.

Arendse's income was never declared, De Grass said, adding that officials from the department were investigating a case of fraud against the couple.

Arendse has conceded that his wife was not entitled to the grant and he said he asked his wife to stop accepting the grant.

Arendse was now embarking on a damage control in a bid to save his political career as he awaited the outcome of the closely contested by-election in Tafelsig, Mitchell's Plain, the SABC reported.

- SAPA