THE deputy leader of the Patriotic Alliance and member of the Joburg City Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Roads and Transport, Kenny Kunene, has opened a criminal case against three councillors in the City of Joburg.
Kunene stated that he does not take the opening of criminal case against his fellow councillors lightly as they, as councillors, should devote all their energy and time to providing much-needed services to the residents of Joburg.
"However, the seriousness of their crime, which contravenes the POPI Act, has left me with no choice but to engage the law enforcement agencies. My action against these three Democratic Alliance councillors follows their posting my personal information, including my personal email address and cellphone number, on social media platforms," he said.
Kunene said this had not only seriously jeopardised his personal safety but also left him vulnerable to identity theft by fraudsters.
He said the theft and misuse of his personal information by the three DA councillors was a blatant violation of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which sets the minimum standards for accessing and processing the personal information of others.
"I'm appalled by the reckless and dangerous behaviour of these three councillors and hope that they will face the full might of the law so that such incidents don't happen again. By the way, I've been informed that this is not the first time DA councillors have committed this shameful act. Executive Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda and city manager Floyd Brink were victims of the same behaviour by DA councillors," he said.
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The MMC further pointed out that these "bullies" will never stop violating the rights of others with impunity unless someone steps in and takes action.
"It's time that these criminals posing as leaders are held accountable for their actions and that they are stopped before innocent people die as a result of their irresponsible actions. Enough is enough!" he said.
Gauteng police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that a case of contravention of the POPI Act has been opened at the Sandton Police Station and investigations are ongoing.
He said no arrests have been made yet.
