Dewes off the hook but more controversy

DA Councillor Dave Dewes is off the hook.

The assault charge against Dewes has been dropped by the complainant allegedly after another party brought other charges against the complainant.

Dewes says that though he is happy about the truth being revealed, he does not feel the same about his unnecessary R20 000 legal fees. He also feels that he can reveal what was taking place behind the scenes as the drama unfolded.

According to Dewes he met with Rupert September, the former Deputy Chairman of Ward 70 branch and another comrade to find an amicable solution to the matter and to attempt to collaborate with the ANC for the greater good of the ward.

The meeting did not turn out positive. September and his colleague allegedly told Dewes that before they would convince the complainant to drop the charges “he must first show them what is in it [financially] for them”. Dewe says this derailed the meeting since he was not going to negotiate his integrity with the ANC on financial basis.

Dewes also says that Septemeber and his comrades knew from the start that the charge would not stick and that this was a last ditch attempt to “get a slice of the economic development pie of Florida” and to curry favour with the ANC by bringing him down before the elections.

The Record is in possession of an email that Dewes sent to September after the fallout. It was copied and the date is unknown.

“Dear Mr Rupert September. I can never ever build a beautiful future for Florida on the bitterness of the past [this remark apparently refers to words Dewes and September had during their meeting where September allegedly accused Dewes of not knowing how the discrimination of apartheid felt]. You can see who I am from what I have desperately tried to achieve for my ward. I do not know you and there is no way I will ever give you the proof of how badly the ANC is stuffing up before you can first show good faith and provide something up front. I will rather use what I have, just before the elections and the ANC know it. A lovely negotiation position. What I have can never be protected by a non disclosure non circumvent agreement. Your choice. You can either defend a criminal [Dewes claims the complainant who laid charges also dealt in drugs] and be exposed accordingly or you can agree to do business because this pie is far too big for an opposition politician. If you can’t recognize the obvious, that we need each other to make money, then you are as short sighted as the “snakes”. [Dewes previously referred to the ANC branch as nyoka (snakes).] I do not play games, I win them. Your gamble. One opportunity, if this door closes it remains shut. I will not forgive the Florida ANC for blatantly forcing me to spend R20 000 to defend myself from a low-life, lying criminal. Tomorrow 14h00 is the deadline to have police affidavit signed and delivered to me confirming unconditional withdrawal of all charges. Trust I will hear from you before 14h00. Regards, your capitalist comrade, Dave DA Dewes [sic],” the email reads.

September denies ever receiving such an email.

Dewes have also send the Record an official response after the charges were withdrawn.

“I’ve always said it and I will say it again. It is easy to defend the truth. Obviously something the Florida ANC branch have little regard for. The trumped up assault charges were withdrawn purely because the complainant knew he was not going to be able to defend the blatant lies. Reckless, irresponsible, self-centred opportunists. Mr Rupert September and his band of conspiring political upstarts, looking to fast track their political careers six months before an election, emulate everything the informed electorate despise about ruling party politicians. It is because of the far too many “Rupert Septembers” within the ANC, that my colleagues and I do opposition politics and why the DA is confident that we have an opportunity to take Gauteng,” says Dewes in his statement.

September has indicated that he will respond on 16 September.