The GOOD Party in Nelson Mandela Bay has expressed its support for the decision by the Hawks to summon Gary van Niekerk to court to face charges of fraud related to alleged actions while serving as a councillor in the city.

The charges stem from an incident in 2022 when Van Niekerk, who was experiencing internal disputes within his political party, the Northern Alliance, apparently failed to attend council meetings for nearly six months.

During this period, Van Niekerk sought a legal opinion despite being instructed not to do so by the acting municipal manager. This resulted in the municipality being billed for the legal work, and a two-year-long dispute ensued over efforts to recover the funds.

A multi-party committee, tasked with investigating the matter, found Van Niekerk guilty of breaching the municipal code of conduct. The committee's report recommended his removal or suspension from office, the issuance of a fine, and the reimbursement of the money spent on the legal opinion.

The GOOD Party expressed optimism that the Hawks' investigation would bring closure to the matter, which they said had lingered for too long.

"We are hopeful that the legal process will finally resolve this issue," the party said in a statement.

The GOOD Party has taken a strong stance, calling for Van Niekerk's resignation, stating that his actions have undermined public trust and damaged the credibility of local government.

"Fraud and corruption are eating at the moral fibre of our communities," the party said. "We need a councillor who is truly committed to bringing about meaningful change."

The party added that the people of Nelson Mandela Bay deserved the stability and leadership necessary to address the critical issues facing the city, including service delivery, unemployment, and infrastructure challenges. The GOOD Party is urging Van Niekerk to step down so that trust in the city's leadership could be restored and progress could be made.