About last week: In the wake of Zille's visit

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The dust has far from settled in the George Council on a matter that involves the mayor, the municipal manager and disgruntled opposition party members.

Helen Zille, chair of the DA's Federal Council, last week made a quick stop in George with a team of legal advisors. This followed after a special council meeting at the end of last year, on 9 December, when a discussion on Mayor Leon van Wyk's alleged reluctance to table accusations against Municipal Manager Michele Gratz was not finalised.

At one stage last week a question arose on how this matter might influence the coalition in the city council between the DA, Freedom Front Plus and the ACDP.

In a new twist yesterday, Wednesday 1 February, the PBI laid charges against Van Wyk with the speaker. The PBI alleges that Van Wyk broke the code of conduct of councillors.Mayor Leon van Wyk

Allegations dismissed

Earlier this week Van Wyk defended his actions, saying all of the allegations made against the municipal manager were dismissed by Council last Thursday, 26 January.

"Those relating to staff disciplinary and arbitration hearings have not been dealt with as these hearings have not been completed. Municipal legislation regulates how councils must manage these processes and accordingly legal advice was taken," said Van Wyk.

"The municipal manager has for the past two years actively worked on a complex turnaround strategy to restore George to a flagship municipality. She has consequently met with expected resistance and antagonism from officials attempting to undermine this process.

"However, the introduction of a new skilled top management team coupled with attention given to service delivery standards, the appointment of experienced staff, the refurbishment and upgrading of infrastructure, and increased capital spending, are all working towards creating an enabling environment for investment and employment."Municipal Manager Michele Gratz

Coalition intact

Both the FF Plus and the ACDP this week said they will submit to the majority decision. Both parties emphasised that the coalition is still intact.

However, Johan du Toit of the ACDP said the matter is still not solved. According to him the mayor did not act in the prescribed time to bring the allegations to council. But, though the ACDP voiced its difference of opinion regarding the matter in the coalition, he said, the ACDP will fall in with the majority decision.

Gert van Niekerk of the FF Plus said they made their point of view clear. "We did not agree with the point of view of the legal adviser Zille brought to George." He too emphasised that there are no ill feelings in the coalition.Gert van Niekerk of the FF Plus

PBI vs mayor

In a nine-page letter to Speaker Sean Snyman, Virgill Gericke of the PBI provides a detailed outline on the mayor's alleged transgression of the code of conduct for councillors. The letter states that the mayor failed to comply with clause two of the regulations by not tabling the allegation(s) against the municipal manager before council within the seven days prescribed by these regulations.

The PBI also questions the appointment of a local law firm to provide an independent opinion, since they believe that the firm is not independent at all and has firm ties with the municipality.

According to the PBI, the firm serves on the panel of attorneys that do regular business with George Municipality and a conflict of interest definitely exists.

Johan du Toit of the ACDP