Rumours on recent resignations ‘defamatory in nature’

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Since the resignation of George Municipality’s Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz and Director of Human Settlements, Planning and Development Lauren Waring yesterday, widespread and unfounded rumours have been doing the rounds - especially on social media - which attempt to tie both Gratz's and Waring's resignations to the Victoria Street building disaster.

Asked for comment on the matter, Chantèl Edwards, Communications Manager, said the municipality notes the allegations being made online and on social media.

"These allegations are utterly refuted and defamatory in nature," said Edwards. "Individuals making such allegations must be aware of the defamatory nature of their statements and both Dr Gratz and Ms Waring reserve their rights to seek legal recourse."

Edwards also referred to a comprehensive article published in George Herald on 27 May 2024, which outlined the processes to be followed for multi-storey buildings by an independent expert. "This article confirmed that a municipality is responsible for the approval of the building plans and thereafter for the issuing of an occupation certificate," said Edwards.

"This requires the submission of the consultant's completion certificates, indicating that the work under their discipline has been constructed and completed as specified in order for the municipality to issue an Occupation Certificate.

Between the plan approval and the Occupation Certificate, the property, development and construction are fully the responsibility of the competent professional (in this case a structural engineer) who was appointed by the property owner."

Part of the plan

Commenting on her own resignation, Gratz said she indicated to Van Wyk, several months ago, that should he be promoted to the Provincial Parliament, she would immediately terminate her services at George Municipality.

"The Mayor and I have worked very well together due to our common vision and teamwork, and I believe we have taken George forward. On the morning of 6 May, the Mayor was informed that he would be sworn in on 10 May 2024 as a Member of the Provincial Legislature," said Gratz.

"I intended to submit my resignation on 10 May 2024. However, within hours of the Mayor being informed of his promotion [on 6 May], the Victoria Street building collapsed. We both delayed our respective resignations to deal with the disaster."

Michele Gratz