Update

GEORGE NEWS - The George ANC has sent some urgent letters to Municipal Manager Godfrey Louw and Mayor Browen Johnson following a recent high court case the municipality failed to oppose, resulting in a default judgment.

The case relates to photographs taken at a municipal housing handover that were later used by the DA in some political campaign material.

The ANC’s councillors approached the Western Cape High Court, arguing that the images created the impression that they supported another political party.

Because the municipality did not defend the application or appear in court, the judge granted an urgent interdict by default. 

The court barred the use of the images for political campaigning and granted a costs order against the municipality.

Seeking answers

Following the ruling, the leader of the official opposition, the ANC’s Cllr Faith Mdaka, wrote to both Louw and Johnson last Thursday, demanding explanations.

ANC’s Cllr Faith Mdaka Photo: George Municipality

In the letter to the Louw, the ANC questions why the court papers had not been acted on, why no attorneys had been appointed, and whether the failure to defend the case could amount to fruitless and wasteful expenditure under municipal finance laws.

In a separate letter to Johnson, the ANC claims he was warned in advance about the legal risks, but failed to act. The letter asks whether he informed Louw and whether he accepts responsibility for the outcome.

Both letters set a deadline of 26 January for written responses and warned that further council, financial or disciplinary action might follow if the explanations were inadequate.

On the George Herald’s request for comment, Municipal Spokesperson Chantèl Edwards said the municipality took note of the respective correspondence and, in accordance with policy, would not comment on pending legal matters to the media.

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