War of words escalates

Update

GEORGE NEWS - A war of words has erupted between Good Party Councillor Donovan Saptoe and George DA Mayor Leon van Wyk, following allegations by Saptoe of irregular appointments at the municipality which Van Wyk dismissed "with the contempt it deserves".

Van Wyk said that as executive mayor, he will not allow the abuse of taxpayers' money on expensive and unnecessary investigations for Saptoe to settle a personal score with the acting municipal manager and the director of community services.

It all started on Friday 25 March when Saptoe, the former George traffic chief, released a statement asking Van Wyk to investigate "irregular appointments" of senior managers within the municipality as well as allegations that council was misled in order to conclude these "crooked" appointments.

Allegations

"The executive mayor is empowered to request such an investigation and should not hesitate to exercise his powers in pursuit of good governance," Saptoe wrote.

"The regulations further empower Council to institute an investigation within seven days following the executive mayor or municipal manager tabling the item before Council."

According to the statement these serious allegations of impropriety include, but are not limited to, that Acting Municipal Manager, Dr Michelle Gratz, appears to have misled Council to facilitate the appointments of senior managers Manfred van Rooyen and Cheslin Williams.

"Gratz appears to have colluded with Director of Community Services Alan Paulse to conceal the irregular appointment of the two staff members, and she misled Council about the true sequence of events. At least one of the two employees is alleged to not meet the requirements for the positions that were subsequently created on the staff structure," Saptoe wrote.

Motive

Van Wyk reacted on Monday 28 March. He said it is telling that Saptoe releases the press statement full of "factual errors" and "blatant lies" on the same day that Council resolved to recommend to the MEC of Local Government, Anton Bredell, that Saptoe be removed from office as councillor.

Van Wyk said Saptoe has been in arrears with his municipal account for many months and in terms of legislation, a councillor's account may not be outstanding for more than three months.

"It is hoped that MEC Bredell will confirm the removal of Saptoe from Council shortly," said Van Wyk.

"The two officials referred to were appointed by the administration in terms of the approved recruitment and selection policy and all processes were correctly followed. The appointment of staff, apart from directors and the municipal manager, is the responsibility of the administration."

He said Council was not misled as alleged by Saptoe into appointing the officials, because Council does not appoint staff.

"These appointees are Labour Relations officers tasked with dealing with disciplinary matters and who are doing a very good job at restoring discipline at George Municipality. It is an open question why Councillor Saptoe is concerned with their appointments. There are several thoughts on this, which will, for obvious reasons, not be discussed in the media," he said.

Dissatisfaction

"Lastly, it is a well-known fact that Cllr Saptoe was dismissed as traffic chief at a disciplinary hearing. He was unsuccessful in his attempts through third parties to persuade both the acting municipal manager and the director of community services to pay him a considerable settlement package.

"His dissatisfaction with his final settlement package is probably the motivation for his personal attack on them and is treated with the contempt it deserves. As executive mayor, I will not allow the abuse of taxpayers' money on expensive and unnecessary investigations for Cllr Saptoe to settle a personal score with the acting municipal manager and the director of community services.

"This is a good example of how Good put their own needs above that of the community."

'I paid my account'

Saptoe told George Herald yesterday, Wednesday 30 March, that he had already paid the account. "My personal matters have nothing to do with the alleged illegal appointments. I have no grudges against any employee of the municipality. I, as a public representative, have the right to ask questions and I expect truthful answers."

Donovan Saptoe