DA to investigate councillor who claimed allowance without licence

A DA councillor in the Western Cape who received a municipal transport allowance despite not having a valid driver's licence will be investigated, the party said on Friday.

"The Speaker of Eden Municipality will launch an investigation into the allegations against councillor [Tertius] Simmers," Democratic Alliance Western Cape spokeswoman Liza Albrecht said in a statement.

"If Mr Simmers is found guilty, the DA in the Western Cape will take the necessary steps."

The Times reported on Friday that it emerged that Simmers did not have a licence after he was arrested outside the council's offices in George for failing to produce a licence when stopped by traffic officers.

Albrecht said Simmers admitted to not having a valid driver's licence at the time.

"However, the travelling and subsistence policy for councillors in the Eden Municipality makes no mention of a valid driver’s licence as a prerequisite for a travel allowance," she said.

Council speaker Doris Nayler told the newspaper the councillors -- even those without a driver's licence -- were getting a monthly transport allowance.

The African National Congress alleged that it was illegal for councillors to receive transport allowances when they did not have a valid driver's licence.

Simmers told The Times he was being targeted by people within the council's administration because he had "exposed corruption", even within his own party.