The police are investigating a case of fraud against Buffalo City Metro councillor Ntombizodwa Gamnca after a number of residents filed complaints on Wednesday.
Gamnca is accused of selling houses to residents and failing to deliver title deeds.
She is alleged to be working with other people in what angry residents have dubbed a “syndicate”.
Police spokesperson Captain Mluleki Mbi said: “We can confirm that a case of fraud has been registered at SAPS Mdantsane. More individuals have submitted similar statements which will then form additional charges of fraud.
“The senior public prosecutor will be consulted for further action in this investigation.”
Mbi said following consultation, a decision would be taken on whether the Hawks would investigate the case.
The Dispatch recently reported that Gamnca was implicated in at least two dubious house “sales”.
Responding to a request for comment on the criminal case against her on Thursday, Gamnca said she had not heard about the investigation.
“It’s a good thing they have opened a case with the police, and the investigation will take place. This has nothing to do with me,” she said.
A disgruntled Zanele Malibeni said she had paid R300,000 into the account of Gamnca’s husband, Andile Gamnca, last year.
Two other people claimed to have paid Gamnca money for the same house, but no one has received a title deed.
On Saturday, the Dispatch reported that Gamnca may be implicated in another house sale, this time in NU6.
Sindiswa Magela, the sister of one of Gamnca’s alleged victims, said the law should now take its course.
“We are happy we opened the case eventually.
“I opened the case against the ward councillor specifically because she is the one who was selling the house. We gave our statements.
“What is most frustrating is that she is not paying back the R300,000 owed to my sister.
“We want the money back because clearly she will never deliver that title deed as that is not even her house,” she said.
BCM spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said they were probing the allegations.
Council speaker Alfred Mtsi said members from Gamnca’s ANC branch had officially reported the matter to him on Tuesday.
“They said the report was motivated by a community meeting that was held to discuss the allegations against councillor Gamnca. I told them there is nothing I can do about this as her matter is with the police now and we must let the law take its course.”
Asked to comment on the matter, ANC Dr WB Rubusana regional secretary Antonio Carels on Wednesday referred questions to regional chair Mawethu Marata, who said he would get Carels to comment.
When called again on Thursday, Carels’ phone rang unanswered and he did not respond to a message sent to him...