Garden Route MM Monde Stratu suspended

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Monde Stratu, municipal manager of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), has been placed on precautionary suspension, pending an investigation into allegations of possible misconduct related to the Western Cape Provincial Government's (WCG) Department of Infrastructure's (DoI) Roads Agency function.

The decision by Council to suspend Stratu was taken today, Tuesday 27 May, during a closed session of a Special Council Meeting.

According to a press release this afternoon by Good, John Daniels, head of GRDM's roads department, was also placed on precautionary suspension. George Herald awaits official confirmation from GRDM.

An earlier investigation by the Western Cape DoI pointed out several possible irregularities in the GRDM's roads department.

At the end of April, Melt Botes, spokesperson of Tertuis Simmers, Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, said there is prima facie evidence of mismanagement and that an independent investigation into possible fraud will be conducted.

When asked for comment on his suspension today, Stratu said, "I don't know anything about that. I was not there." Daniels also said he was not in the council meeting. "I have no comment," he said.

"Both individuals were afforded the opportunity to present reasons why they should not be suspended," reads the statement by Good's Rosa Louw.

"While their representations were extensive and raised concerns about alleged unfair labour practices, the regulations governing disciplinary procedures for Senior Managers are clear and must be upheld."

Louw says the suspensions are a necessary step to ensure that the investigation can proceed in a fair, transparent, and unhindered manner.

John Daniels, head of GRDM's roads department