Winde Suspends Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz; Reasons Remain Unclear

Photo via Mossel Bay Advertiser 

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde suspended his Community Safety Member of the Executive Council (MEC) Albert Fritz on Sunday for "serious allegations."

Winde said he received conduct allegations against Fritz this week, causing him to take action against the MEC. 

It remains unclear what those allegations were. 

"I have summoned the MEC and informed him of these allegations, as well as my decision to suspend him with immediate effect, which he has accepted," Winde said in a statement Sunday. "I have initiated a full investigation, which must proceed on an unhindered basis. Minister Fritz has offered his full cooperation in this investigation."

Member of the GOOD Party, Brett Herron said the public deserved to know further reasoning behind the suspension.

Winde said he would provide updates in a timely fashion.

Monday morning, the African National Congress (ANC) released a statement demanding further explanation for Frtiz's suspension. 

“We demand a full an immediate explanation of the allegations against MEC Fritz," said the Leader of the Opposition, Cameron Dugmore, in a statement. "In the interest of transparency, open governance, and his responsibility to the people of the province, we demand the Premier comes clean and plays open cards with us.  We don’t want to speculate on the reasons, we want the truth, and we want it now.”

The ANC said they believed the failure to provide reasoning for the suspension was an indication something was "seriously wrong." 

By Ben Rappaport