Update

GEORGE NEWS - ANC MP Cameron Dugmore is taking legal action against former George CFO Keith Jordaan, following Jordaan's statement two weeks ago in which he calls Dugmore a liar.

George Herald was reliably informed about Dugmore's next move. He confirmed yesterday, Wednesday 24 August, that he has indeed instructed his lawyers to institute a damages claim against Jordaan.

Dugmore invited the press to a briefing yesterday, 25 August, in Cape Town, titled "DA cadre deployment exposed again - this time Kannaland". It was believed that he would expand on taking legal steps against Jordaan during the meeting, which would be streamed on Facebook.

Asked for comment on Dugmore institu-ting legal action against him, Jordaan said, "I haven't heard about anything like that".

The statements

The statement in which Jordaan called Dugmore a liar was made in reaction to one made by Dugmore the previous day, 10 August. Dugmore voiced his concern about DA leader Tertuis Simmers' alleged attempt to force the appointment of Jordaan as acting municipal manager in Kannaland, to replace the current Kannaland acting MM, Ian Avontuur.

Dugmore described Jordaan as a "discredited former George official", saying Simmers' alleged attempt to appoint him in Kannaland is "another blatant example of DA cadre deployment".

He was referring to Jordaan having being accused of maladministration and making an illegal investment while he was CFO at George Municipality.

Jordaan, in return, called Dugmore a liar in three different ways: "Dugmore lies like a trooper…. lies like a cheap carpet…. lies like a dog." He said the DA never engaged him for the position in Kannaland, that he was falsely accused of wrongdoing and has since been cleared by the National Prosecuting Authority.

ANC MP Cameron Dugmore

Threats and claims

Asked about taking steps against Jordaan, Dugmore said the following: "Keith Jordaan has never repeated his initial threat of taking legal action against me. 

"This is because he knows the statement issued is accurate. Given that he has now accused me, among other things, of being a liar, I have now decided to instruct my lawyers to institute a damages claim against Jordaan - defamation against my reputation, and to lay crimen injuria charges against Jordaan with the police."

Only advisory

Simmers said earlier that he played an advisory role in regard to the Kannaland position. "I advised, in my capacity as provincial leader, the regional and constituency leadership and did not instruct them. 

"The acting municipal manager can only be confirmed, or removed, or replaced by a majority council decision. I cannot possibly confirm, or even influence the appointment, or not, of any particular candidate. It is up to Council to appoint, not the DA."

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