Councillor caught without a driver's licence

A DA councillor in Western Cape has been drawing a municipal transport allowance despite not having a valid driver's licence - a precondition.

This emerged when Tertius Simmers, 30, was arrested outside the council's offices in George for failing to produce a driver's licence when stopped by traffic officers.

The ANC is demanding a full investigation into how Simmers was allowed to claim as much as 25% of his total remuneration as a travel allowance when he does not have a driver's licence.

His arrest has thrown into question the quality of Eden district municipality's internal control systems.

Council speaker Doris Nayler acknowledged that councillors were getting a monthly transport allowance, even those without a driver's licence.

Councillors may claim for travel beyond the municipality .

The ANC said it was illegal for councillors to receive transport allowances when they do not have a valid driver's licence.

"If his remuneration package includes the 25% [travel allowance, Simmers] is defrauding [SARS]," said ANC southern Cape secretary Putco Mapitiza.

Simmers acknowledged that he did not have a driver's licence but did have a learner's licence.

He said he was being reimbursed for the use of his vehicle for council duties.

He said he was being targeted by people within the council's administration because he had "exposed corruption", even within his own party.

A source within the DA caucus in the municipality questioned how Simmers could have been allowed to claim the allowance when he did not have a valid driver's licence.