English

Hello 

Create Profile

Creating your profile will enable you to submit photos and stories to get published on News24.


Please provide a username for your profile page:

This username must be unique, cannot be edited and will be used in the URL to your profile page across the entire 24.com network.

Settings

Location Settings

News24 allows you to edit the display of certain components based on a location. If you wish to personalise the page based on your preferences, please select a location for each component and click "Submit" in order for the changes to take affect.









Facebook Sign-In

Hi News addict,

Join the News24 Community to be involved in breaking the news.

Log in with Facebook to comment and personalise news, weather and listings.

 
 

Sex scandal threatens MEC

2010-02-12 10:07
line

kalahari.com

  • The Da Vinci Method
    Break Out & Express Your Fire. Discover and master the fiery temperament shared by great leaders. Now R256.95
    buy now

Cape Town - The political future of advocate Lennit Max, the Western Cape MEC for community safety, is currently in the balance due to an alleged extra-marital affair.

A few hours after the news broke on Thursday, Max, who is from Uitenhage, announced that he had asked Western Cape Premier and DA leader, Helen Zille, for permission to go on leave. She approved his request.

Provincial DA leader, Theuns Botha, confirmed that Max was on leave. "My colleague has decided to go on leave because of the allegations. I think it is in the interest of the party."

Botha confirmed that there would be an investigation into Max's alleged relationship.

The tabloid newspaper Son reported on Thursday that a former police clerk, Belinda Petersen, 33, from Manenberg in Cape Town, claimed that she and Max had had a sexual relationship three years ago.

They apparently met in his office, at home and at a local hotel.

Max and his wife, Farouz, have apparently been married for more than 20 years.

Allegations 'devoid of all truth'

Max said the allegations against him were devoid of all truth. He was going on leave because he was unable to give his full attention to the very important portfolio of community safety due to the cloud hanging over him.

"My first responsibility must be the safety of the people of the Western Cape and the fight against crime."

He wanted to use the opportunity to clear his name. Meanwhile, several DA members who wanted to remain anonymous, expressed disapproval about the alleged sexcapades of one of their leaders.

A Cape Town councillor told Die Burger that there had been rumours on Wednesday that Zille had asked Max to resign. This could not be confirmed. The councillor said he felt sorry for Max's family, especially his wife.

Several other DA members said he would have to step down from his position if the allegations were true. One said he didn't want a colleague who was guilty of something like this. "How can we rail against (President Jacob) Zuma's behaviour if we allow something like this in our midst?"

Election coming up

A friend of Max and former DA councillor from Malmesbury, Deon Slade, said he knew Max wouldn't commit such transgressions. "You have to remember there is an election battle coming. Outside forces are at work."

Max was recently in the news when he fired his spokesperson, Julian Jansen. At the time, there were rumours that he had spied on some of his employees by placing pens with cameras in their offices.

Max said at the time that the disciplinary steps taken against Jansen were related only to work. He threatened to sue for slander should anyone imply otherwise.

Max did not respond to SMSes or calls on Thursday. According to his statement, Zille would manage his duties.

Zille on Thursday attended the opening of Parliament and did not respond to messages.

Read more on:    da  |  lennit max  |  helen zille  |  politics

Read News24’s Comments Policy

inside news24

 

140
1
1 of 10

Latest comment in South Africa

Peter-Peter says... WOW...News24 knows how to harbour on stuff, hey... Read the article...

 
Traffic
Lottery
 
  • Wednesday Ladysmith - 22:09 PM
    Road name: N11 Both Ways
    ROADWORK - two sets of stop / go controls just south of the R68 Dundee exit - expect waiting times of up to 20 minutes between Ladysmith and Newcastle (ends March 2013)
  • Saturday Pretoria - 08:07 AM
    Road name: N1 Both Ways
    ROADWORKS - lane closures on both carriageways for long term roadworks between the N4 Witbank Highway Interchange and the Zambesi Drive exit - EXPECT DELAYS (until Jan 2013)
 
More traffic reports...
 

Jobs [change area]

Cars[change area]

TOYOTA

Hilux 2.5 D-4D 4x4 SRX D-Cab Dsl PU MY10
2010
R 254,995.00

VOLKSWAGEN

Jetta 5 2.0 TDi Sportline Dsl
2007
R 231,900.00

NISSAN

Tiida 1.6 Visia+
2007
R 119,995.00

Property [change area]

Vulintaba Country Estate, Upper Drakensberg

A lifestyle estate beyond compare. Home Package Options From R990 000

HOUSES FOR SALE IN Pinetown

Houses R 1 090 000

Travel - Look, Book, Go!

Casa Rex, Vilanculos

Spend 5 nights in at the magical Mozambican resort of Casa Rex from R7983 per person sharing. Includes accommodation, return flights, taxes and transfers. Book now!

Kalahari.com - shop online today

Legos

Let your child construct his own fun with only his imagination limiting his creations. Buy now.

iPad

Update the way you socialize, work and play with the latest iPad models. Buy now.

Max Payne 3

Seeking Redemption from the past, Max hopes to enter his last fight and finally put his demons to rest. Buy now.

Sins of the Father

Foul play in New York City sets the tone. Boundaries pushed, Loyalties tested and secrets unravelled in Jeffrey Archer’s, Sins of the Father. Buy now.

Nikon Camera Range

Capture and preserve your life’s precious memories with the Nikon Camera Range. Buy now.

OLX Free Classifieds [change area]

pool table

For Sale, Toys - Games - Hobbies in South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg. Date May 6

Lexus: IS

Vehicles, Cars in South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg. Date May 7

stylish bachelor furnished in sandton from 1st of june

Real Estate, Houses - Apartments for Rent in South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg. Date May 7

Gobii eReader

Only R899.95

Affordable, compact & elegant there has never been a better time to start your ebook adventure than with the Gobii.

Visit www.kalahari.com for millions of books, music, DVDs, games & more!

BlackBerry Bold 9700

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone has a large, hi-res screen...

From R3200.00

I'm shopping for:

Horoscopes
Aquarius
Aquarius

For some or other reason, you’re feeling a bit more sensitive about how others see you at work today. Even though you’re such an...read more

There are new stories on the homepage. Click here to see them.