GEORGE NEWS - Two senior George Municipality Fire and Rescue Services officials who were suspended late last year have returned to work while the labour dispute over their suspension continues.
Chief Fire Officer Neels Barnard and Station Commander Santa Sternsdorf have been recalled to duty, although neither has returned to their previous positions. Instead, they have been assigned alternative duties and in different departments.
Barnard has been placed in the municipal hall section for maintenance inspections, and Sternsdorf in the municipal fleet, where she is in charge of issuing petrol cards.
"I believe taxpayers' money was wasted pursuing disciplinary action against these two officials without sufficient grounds.
I welcome their return, but I remain concerned that they are not performing the jobs they are employed to do," said Brendon Adams, a PA MPL. "That is a waste of taxpayers' money and the expertise of two highly skilled professionals."
Barnard and Sternsdorf's suspension made headlines at the end of last year after the municipality had confirmed that two of its senior officials had been placed on precautionary suspension, but declined to disclose the reasons.
George Herald was informed by a trusted source that these suspensions came just two days after Barnard and Sternsdorf had lodged complaints of racism against a senior municipal official.
In the meantime, the matter is proceeding through arbitration.
Services continue
The George Municipality would not comment on the matter. Municipal spokesperson Chantèl Edwards said the municipality does not comment on individual employees' matters, including disciplinary, labour relations, placement or other personnel-related matters.
She said essential municipal services continue to operate, and confirmed that Johann Crause is currently serving as the acting fire chief.
His appointment has previously drawn criticism from the public interest organisation The Accountability Group (Tag), who questioned whether he met the minimum qualifications required for the position. Tag called on the municipality in December to investigate the appointment. The municipality has not responded to those allegations.
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