GEORGE NEWS - Opposition parties have voiced their dissatisfaction over a confidential item tabled during the Special Council Meeting last Monday, 24 November, when the appointment of a new Community Safety and Mobility director was considered.

They argued that a leaked June letter from the Western Cape MEC for Local Government, Anton Bredell - in which the candidate was initially deemed unqualified to act in the role - should have been included on the agenda.

However, the minister's office has confirmed that the June correspondence is no longer relevant. After receiving additional information from the municipality in August, the MEC revised his stance and issued a new letter supporting the candidate's acting appointment. "We are currently assessing the appointment," read the comment.

Municipal spokesperson Chantèl Edwards said in line with standard practice, the appointment can only be made public once the preferred candidate has formally accepted the offer, subject to the concurrence of the MEC for Local Government.

By last Friday, neither had happened.

"With regard to the leaked correspondence circulated on social media, it must be noted that this confidential letter dates back several months. The matters raised were subsequently clarified, and the preferred candidate meets all prescribed requirements for the position," said Edwards. "George Municipality condemns the deliberate spread of outdated and misleading information on social media by individuals acting with hostility toward the institution."

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