CHRIS PAPPAS: “Bring it on!"; “This small mayor is making them terrified.”

This is the message Chris Pappas, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) candidate for Premier in KwaZulu-Natal, has for those who have accused him of nepotism. He speaks to BizNews after the Public Protector and the Speaker of the uMngeni municipality were both asked to investigate him. Pappas says the Speaker already investigated a couple of months ago - and stresses that he has nothing to hide. He also confirms that he has received “lots of threats”, but is full of courage. “When you're a threat, and when there's money involved, and when there's power and positions involved, and you do not have law and order, and the criminal justice system is largely dysfunctional, and the value for life and moral engagement, has deteriorated to where it is, then you do have the situation that I'm sitting in at the moment. But you also can't let that deter you.” Pappas also talks about the latest polling data; lists his priorities after next year’s election; and details the actions taken over the last 23 months to turn his municipality into what DA leader John Steenhuisen described as a “a shining beacon on the hill while the rest of KZN lies in ruin.” - Chris Steyn