GEORGE NEWS - Fresh questions have been raised about the long-running legal dispute surrounding George's former municipal manager, Godfrey Louw, following reports that the matter has been settled.
The legal dispute arose after the national Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs had declined to approve Louw's appointment as municipal manager, citing concerns over the required retirement age waiver. George Municipality subsequently launched legal proceedings in an effort to have the appointment reinstated.
The matter has remained unresolved in the public domain for several months, and little official information has been released.
A Patriotic Alliance MPL, Brendon Adams, wrote to the Western Cape minister of local government, Anton Bredell, on Wednesday 8 July, requesting clarity on the reports that the parties had reached a settlement. There was an alleged agreement that each would pay its own legal costs.
Patriotic Alliance MPL, Brendon Adams
In his letter, Adams asked whether the matter had in fact been settled, what the terms of any settlement were, how much the provincial government had spent on legal fees, whether any further legal costs were expected, and if any further legal action was planned.
Adams said there is significant public interest in the matter and argued that, because public funds have been used during the legal proceedings, transparency and accountability are essential.
Adams has also written to Mayor Browen Johnson requesting details of any settlement, and asking the municipality to disclose the legal costs incurred in the matter.
Tight-lipped
George Herald also approached George Municipality for comment. Municipal spokesperson Chantèl Edwards did not confirm whether the matter had been settled.
"As previously indicated, George Municipality does not comment on individual employee matters, including disciplinary, labour relations, placement or other personnel-related matters," she said.
She did, however, confirm that Riaan du Plessis is currently serving as acting municipal manager while Bevan Ellman is on annual leave.
The municipality also declined to comment on the reported settlement, the costs of the litigation, whether the municipal manager's post will be advertised, or the future of the position.
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