The GOOD Party on Thursday welcomed the resignation of George municipality Deputy Mayor Raybin Figland, following the motion of no confidence it submitted against him.

Figland has resigned from council effective January 31.

He has been accused of forcing a schoolgirl to send him naked photographs of herself.

Last month the DA concluded its internal disciplinary process and said Figland had no criminal liability for allegedly sexting a teenage pupil.

“And although today’s outcome is a victory for residents of George, it is shocking that it has taken Figland and the DA this long to do the right thing,” stated GOOD George Councillor Chantelle Kyd.

She pointed out that the DA said they were unable to proceed with their internal investigation because the alleged victim was not willing to participate in the giving of evidence.

“Despite a damning initial investigation done by the DA’s own Federal Legal Commission, the DA's internal disciplinary process lifted his internal party suspension,” she said.

During the DA’s Federal Legal Commission Glynnis Breytenbach interviewed the victim, her father and Figland.

The findings defined Figland as someone who “lies without hesitation”, and found Figland to have allegedly been engaged in grossly inappropriate conduct.

Kyd highlighted that the GOOD Party remained steadfast in its belief that councillors should be held to a higher standard.

“Figland may be leaving the council, effective 31 January 2025, but as GOOD we will continue with the Public Protector process, we initiated. The office of the Public Protector confirms they are investigating our complaint. Extorting explicit images from a schoolgirl is improper conduct and unbecoming of a public office bearer,” she said.