The leader of the ACDP in the Eastern Cape, Lance Grootboom on Tuesday laid fraud charges against Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor, Gary Van Niekerk at the Humewood police station.
The fraud allegations pertain to Van Niekerk's decision to enlist the services of a firm of attorneys to represent him with his legal battles, when he was allegedly no longer a member of the council.
Grootboom says at the time of the alleged offences Van Niekerk misrepresented as the Northern Alliance's seats in council had then already been declared vacant.
"By doing this he prejudiced the credibility of council and he bound the institution financially when he had no authority to do so.
"As a consequence of his actions, Boqwana Burns Attorneys now demand payment of more than R500 000 for services rendered," he said.
Van Niekerk said the actions of the ACDP are a feeble attempt to gain relevance in a political environment where it lost it's identity.
He labeled the party a watered-down version of the Democratic Alliance (DA).
According to Van Niekerk, he acted in defence of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, in his official capacity.
"Despite the action against my political party, we had an interdict in place that prohibited our removal as Councillors.
"Since I was elected as the Speaker of Council, by the majority of the Municipal Council, I fulfilled my duties as required, to the best of my abilities.
"The ultimate Order of the Court confirmed our good standing as Councillors," he said.
Grootboom said the ACDP will table a motion at the next council meeting, calling for Van Niekerk's suspension, pending investigations by the Rules and Ethics Committee.
In reaction to the planned motion, Van Niekerk said: "A vote of no-confidence, as part of this frivolous campaign, will be for political expediency and not because of any transgressions."
