Allegations of misconduct in the Sandbaai ward committee

Mr. Reid, a Sandbaai ward committee member, has come forward with allegations of misconduct in the Sandbaai ward committee involving Mr. Lombard, the husband of Councillor Hybré Lombard. Below is an explanation of the allegations, including a description of how the government has responded.

This information is publicly available on the Sandbaai Community VID website. Multiple residents have since raised similar concerns, and complaints have been submitted through various channels.

Allegations of ward committee misconduct

Nepotism

The ward councillor’s husband, Mr. Lombard, is alleged to have held two ward committee seats through proxy representation of organisations. Municipal regulations explicitly prohibit immediate family members of a councillor from serving on the same ward committee.

Ineligible organisations

The organisations represented by Mr. Lombard did not meet the minimum eligibility requirements at the time of the 2021 ward committee elections. Specifically, they had not been active in the community for the required minimum period of six months. Available documents suggest that this requirement was waived only in his case.

False representation

A third ward committee seat has been held since 2021 by an individual claiming to represent the Sandbaai Special Rating Area (SRA). No such SRA existed at the time, and as of 2026 the SRA has not obtained the legally required consent of a majority of property owners. It therefore does not legally exist. This raises uncertainty as to who, if anyone, was formally represented by that seat during this period.

Ongoing non-compliance

None of the three organisations have produced records of the quarterly feedback meetings mandated under municipal rules throughout the full four-year term. Despite this, the ward committee seats remain occupied, contrary to the provisions requiring removal in cases of non-compliance.

Mr Lombard denies all these allegations. He denies any misconduct, stating that he is not a member of the Sandbaai ward committee and that no municipal rule prohibits a councillor’s spouse from belonging to community organisations represented on the committee.

He rejected claims that the organisations were ineligible, asserting that both the Sandbaai Communal Housing Forum and the Sandbaai Ratepayers Association were properly formed, registered with Overstrand Municipality, and active prior to the 2021 ward committee elections.

Mr. Lombard also denies allegations of ongoing non-compliance, stating that required feedback to members was completed and submitted to the municipality, although he said the organisations are not obliged to report to individual complainants.

Response to allegations by local government

In July 2025, Mr. Reid approached Grant Cohen, Speaker of the Overstrand Municipal Council, with a broad set of concerns including the allegations outlined above.

Mr. Cohen confirmed that a meeting took place. He stated that the municipality had begun its annual audit of ward committee members, which he indicated would have formed part of the investigation. He further stated that while this process was underway, the matter was referred to the Minister’s office, at which point the provincial authorities assumed responsibility.

In September 2025, Mr. Reid escalated the matter to Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill. This was followed by a request in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).

In October 2025, Mr. O’Neill responded by email. In his correspondence, he questioned the timing and basis of the allegations, noting that the concerns were raised nearly four years after the ward committee’s establishment and shortly after the PAIA request. He suggested that the matter should have been addressed internally through the ward committee and recommended that it be referred back to the ward councillor for discussion at a ward committee meeting. He concluded that no further correspondence would be entertained until the ward committee had considered the matter.

Also in October 2025, the Public Protector received the complaint and referred the matter to the Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Anton Bredell. The MEC indicated that he would assess all available information before deciding on the necessity of a provincial investigation. The required forms were subsequently completed and submitted.

In November 2025, Mr. Lombard filed a request with the Speaker to have Mr. Reid removed from the ward committee.

However, the MEC’s spokesperson has since indicated over email that no information can be divulged regarding any ongoing investigation undertaken by the Western Cape Department of Local Government. He also stated on email that no provincial investigation is underway by the Department into allegation of misconduct in the Sandbaai ward committee.

This response has created uncertainty as to the status of the matter.

A full investigation is warranted

If the allegations are unfounded, that should be confirmed through a transparent process. If they have merit, corrective action should follow. Either outcome strengthens public trust.

In a constitutional democracy, public office-bearers are accountable to the communities they serve. Allegations of procedural irregularity are best resolved through clear, independent review rather than internal deferral.

Transparency protects both the public and those accused.