Rumours and allegations that he resigned as member of the Overstrand Mayoral Committee (Mayco) over a Hawks investigation into alleged tender irregularities are no more than political smearing, said councillor Clinton Lerm.
This comes after the Alliance of Citizens for Change (ACC) president Masizole Mnqasela released a statement last week stating that the party believed “the whole Mayco should step down.”
The statement further reads: “The DA Mayor Annelie Rabie must go. Also important to note is the incredible progress made by the Hawks in the investigation on allegations of gross misconduct and serious violations of tender processes against Cllr Clinton Lerm and others in the Overstrand Municipality. I’ll give more information on this in due course. The people of the Overstrand Municipality deserve better.”
In response to this, Lerm said: “The statement in question comes from a disgruntled opposition politician who has faced multiple engagements with the Hawks over corruption and other allegations.
“This is purely a PR exercise. I, therefore, treat his statement with the disregard it deserves.”
Mnqasela, former head of the DA’s Overstrand constituency and also the former Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, revealed in August 2024 that he had laid criminal charges with the Hawks relating to alleged corruption and fraud against Lerm regarding the award of a tender to develop prime land.
The ACC’s press release at the time stated that Lerm had allegedly failed to disclose his relationship with the business that was granted a contract to lease the parcel of land for profit.
Overstrand Municipality, however, denied these allegations. “The tender for the lease of the De Mond land closed on 4 November 2023 and was awarded to Point Caravan Resort on 4 March 2024,” it stated. “Point Caravan Resort declared its business interest with Clinton Lerm in the declaration by supplier segment of the documentation.
“It can be confirmed MMC Lerm declared his interest with Point Caravan Resort when he became a councillor in November 2021.”
Business
Lerm told the Hermanus Times he had handed his letter of resignation as Mayco member to Overstrand Executive Mayor Annelie Rabie on 11 November 2024. Mayco appointments are made at the discretion of the mayor who selects candidates from the pool of councillors.
Lerm served as Mayco member in the capacity as chair of Infrastructure Services as well as Planning and Development for three years. Although he has resigned as Mayco member he will continue to serve as a regular councillor.
The reason for stepping down as Mayco member, said Lerm, was to pursue and expand his numerous business ventures. Lerm is the owner of Forest Adventures, a company that offers various activities such as quad biking and white-water rafting in various locations, including Caledon, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Mossel Bay. This company also boasts the K3 Zipline, the world’s longest zipline outside Caledon.
“Before becoming a councillor I had multiple opportunities to expand my adventure business into an international brand. I will now actively pursue this again,” he added.
Mayor Rabie confirmed Lerm had indicated his intention to resign as Mayco member in November 2024. She stated: “I accepted his resignation on 11 February. Council will be informed during the council meeting on 26 February. I will fill the position, but have not applied my mind to it yet.”
