Former Newcastle chief whip Faizel Cassim has reportedly been cleared of corruption, abuse of power and maladministration following a Public Protector investigation into a R1.13 million payout made to his company, Newcastle Industrial Laundries.
According to a report by Newcastle Express, Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka found that the payment was not an improper political deal, but a legal obligation flowing from a Pietermaritzburg High Court order.
The matter centred on allegations that Cassim had abused his political position to benefit his company after Newcastle Industrial Laundries received payment from the Newcastle Local Municipality.
However, the report found that the payout was linked to legal costs, independent water testing and damages connected to pollution at the Amcor Dam.
The investigation also reportedly found that scientific testing pointed to failing municipal sewage infrastructure as the cause of the contamination, not Newcastle Industrial Laundries.
Cassim had faced public allegations from ActionSA leaders, who claimed the payment was linked to an improper arrangement with the municipality. According to the report, those allegations were not supported by evidence submitted to the Public Protector.
Cassim has welcomed the findings, saying his family and business had suffered serious damage because of what he described as politically motivated attacks.
The case now closes a long-running dispute that had placed Cassim, his business and the municipality under public scrutiny.
For Newcastle residents, the matter also raises wider questions about the cost of municipal infrastructure failure, especially where businesses are affected and later turn to the courts for relief.