GEORGE NEWS - During the final days of last year, two senior officials of the George Fire and Disaster Management Services were informed of their suspension, a development that has raised concern given their central role in safeguarding the town.
The suspension of the Chief Fire Officer and Head of Disaster Management Neels Barnard and Fire Station Commander Santa Sternsdorff came as a shock to many within the emergency services community, in which both were regarded as key figures in operational readiness and disaster response.
The George Municipality has not denied these suspensions, but has declined to provide further details. Municipal spokesperson Chantèl Edwards said: "As per our policy, George Municipality does not provide comments on internal matters about officials."
Both Barnard and Sternsdorff declined to comment when approached.
According to information received, the suspensions were instituted at an administrative level and are not, at this stage, believed to be the result of political pressure.
A source indicated that the matter is linked to allegations of misconduct, dereliction of duty and insubordination.
The issue is expected to be discussed when Council reconvenes on 12 January, after the recess.
Public interest group raises concerns
Meanwhile, a Knysna-based public interest association, The Accountability Group (Tag), has formally called on Council to investigate the actions of Acting Municipal Manager Godfrey Louw.
Tag's concerns include the suspension of the municipality's two most senior fire officials; the appointment of an acting fire chief, which the group alleges is procedurally flawed and unlawful due to a lack of required qualifications; and the removal from service of a drone previously used for shark spotting operations.
Fire Station Commander Santa Sternsdorff. Photo: Michelle Pienaar
Recent recognition
The suspensions followed shortly after the municipality had received national recognition for its emergency response capacity.
In September, the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs honoured the George Municipality for its outstanding humanitarian and rescue efforts during the Victoria Street building collapse. At the time, the operations were conducted under the leadership of Barnard and Sternsdorff.
Sternsdorff also received international recognition late last year when she was featured in the August 2025 Journal of the Institution of Fire Engineers (Ife), International Edition.
At the time, the municipality said she had authored a detailed professional account of the Victoria Street collapse and the complex rescue operation that followed.
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