DA clears Maimane of any wrongdoing
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has cleared leader Mmusi Maimane of any financial wrongdoing following allegations that he drove a car bought by Steinhoff’s Markus Jooste and a R4 million Claremont home he allegedly declared as his own.
Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Rapport claimed at the weekend that the car was given to the party ahead of the 2016 local government elections.
The paper also claimed the car was only returned by Maimane long after the extent of the financial losses at Steinhoff became clear.
Maimane subsequently took to Twitter, labelling the claims as a smear campaign.
In a statement on Friday, the party said Maimane managed to probe his innocence during a meeting with its finance committee.
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The committee’s chair Dion George said it was established that Maimane returned the car after the Steinhoff scandal broke.
In addition, it was found that Maimane was paying rent for the R4-million house that he reportedly declared as his own.
"As it relates to travel arrangements, Maimane did enjoy the use of a Toyota Fortuner in the Western Cape, donated to the party by Steinhoff via their subsidiary, Hertz. After the Steinhoff scandal broke, the car was returned. There was a delay due in part to the leader’s international trip to the USA and a Federal Congress taking place in Gauteng,” George said.
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"As it relates to the leader’s home, it has been established that no formal lease document exists. However, Mr Maimane has paid rent covering each month he and his family have lived in the house. I have had sight of the accounts of the business which owns the house."