The ANC is expected to lodge criminal charges against mayco member for safety and security JP Smith in connection with alleged fraudulent claims made in his CV.
Last week reports emerged that Smith’s biography sent by his personal assistant to the Music Exchange conference organisers says he has an honours degree in English from Stellenbosch University.
Smith was a guest speaker at the conference in 2019.
During a 2018 13-day Safer Western Cape conference in which Smith was one of the speakers, his profile said he had an honours degree in English from the University of Stellenbosch, reported the Weekend Argus.
Smith is however said to have quit studying when he became fully active in politics.
In response to the reports Smith issued a statement stating that at some point, a clerical error was made in editing a bio by omitting the term ‘incomplete’ in relation to an incomplete Honours in English postgraduate qualification.
“This error must have persisted for a while some years ago until a subsequent edit update corrected it,” Smith said.
ANC MP Cameron Dugmore said charges against Smith will be laid at the Cape Town police station on Monday.
“It’s inconceivable that Smith was not aware of this misrepresentation. This false claim was put before delegates and surely must have bolstered his chances against Steyn. This is disgusting, coming from a politician who positions himself as Mr Clean. We will lay criminal charges against him today and expect the police to investigate the matter expeditiously,” said Dugmore.
Good Party secretary Brett Herron said that the DA’s qualifications scandals are all emerging from within the party, as members feud over positions.