Bazil Petrus not on mayco any more

Update

GEORGE NEWS - A former mayor, Bazil Petrus, is not a member of the new mayoral committee (mayco) that was announced by George Mayor Leon van Wyk last Thursday, 26 October.

Petrus is one of the most senior politicians in the area who was seen as a strong contender to become mayor again in the run-up to the 2021 local government elections. A senior DA member said on Tuesday 31 October that Petrus' omission is nothing to wonder about.

He has simply been nominated for the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and will be a member of both the George and GRDM councils.

Van Wyk made the announcement at the monthly council meeting, bringing to an end weeks of speculation about the new mayco.

There are three new members, Johan Stander (DA), Theresa Jeyi (DA) and Marais Kruger (DA) while some of the existing members were given new portfolios.

Stander has been a member of the municipal council and also a mayco member in the past. A few months ago he became a proportional member under the DA banner.

In some political circles he is seen as a close ally of Van Wyk.

Jeyi crossed the political floor earlier this year from Good to the DA and won a by-election in Ward 16 under the DA banner.

Kruger won Ward 22 in the 2021 municipal elections for the DA.

Van Wyk told George Herald shortly after his announcement that he is excited about the new team. "I am looking forward to work with them. There are many growth challenges that will have to be addressed."

Marais Kruger

The new mayco are:

Executive Mayor: Leon van Wyk
Executive Deputy Mayor: Raybin Figland
Speaker: Sean Snyman
Chief Whip: Marlene Barnardt
Civil Engineering Services (Operating Aspects): Browen Johnson
Civil Engineering Services (Capital Projects/BFI): Johan Stander
Electrotechnical Services: Nosicelo Mbete
Community Services (Refuse, Environment and Parks): Theresa Jeyi
Community Services (Social Development, Libraries, Sport, Customer Care): Brendon Adams
Community Safety: Marais Kruger
Planning and Development (Planning, Building Control, Property, IDP, Performance Management, Economic Development, Agriculture and Tourism): Jackie von Brandis
Planning and Development (Human Settlements): Jean Safers
Financial and Strategic Services: Dirk Wessels
Corporate Services (and Human Resources): Chris Neethling

Theresa Jeyi