UPDATE: Memory back tracks on Stratu-case

Update

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - This morning, Thursday 31 August, District Mayor Memory Booysen publicly apologised for an earlier statement, released on 9 March this year, in which he said he was disappointed at how a matter for which MM Monde Stratu appeared in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court, was handled by law enforcement agencies.

The charges against Stratu and a former municipal manager of Knysna, Dr Sithemebele Wiseman Vatala relates to the treatment of properties on the financial statements of the GRDM and Knysna Municipality. They appeared in court on charges of fraud, forgery and uttering.

Booysen said he unreservedly apologises for not ascertaining the facts regarding the existing dispute and for casting aspersions on the prosecuting authority and complainant/s. In his earlier statement in March, he criticized the prosecution as “malicious” and “marred with procedural flaws aimed at tainting the reputation of the two municipalities and embarrassing the Municipal Manager”.

He also said Knysna Mayor Aubrey Tsengwa advised him that Knysna Municipality had agreed not to pursue any dispute over the properties.

In a turnaround from his earlier take on things, Booysen today said he fully endorses the rule of law and will fully cooperate with any further investigation on the matter to enable the necessary due process to run its course.

Stratu’s position

During a special council meeting on 14 March, it was resolved that Stratu will stay in office, and that the GRDM council will also carry his legal costs. Enquiries on the matter was sent to Garden Route District Municipality earlier today asking for more clarity on Stratu’s current position in office for the duration of the court case.

At the time, Knysna Councillor Susan Campbell of Knysna Independent Movement (Kim) confirmed that she laid charges relating to the matter back in 2020, when she was chairperson of the Knysna Ratepayers Association. In 2021 the Acting Knysna Municipal Manager, Dawie Adonis, also laid criminal charges regarding the matter.

"The case was investigated by the Hawks and they found that Stratu was complicit in the case," said Campbell. "The charges were initially laid against Vatala and Mbelelo Memani, the former CEO of Knysna. Memani is currently the municipal manager of Bitou."

Campbell said the dispute involves property valued at about R60m.

Monde Stratu, GRDM municipal manager.