Update

GEORGE NEWS - George Municipal Manager Trevor Botha can be expected back in office any time soon. The Western Cape High Court ruled yesterday, 9 March, that Botha be reinstated “with immediate effect”. 

This is confirmed by municipal spokesperson Chantel Edwards-Klose. “The costs as per the order of the High Court will be borne by George Municipality,” she said.

Botha, along with director of Community Services Walter Hendricks, was placed on three months’ precautionary suspension effective since Monday 17 February. The court order declared Botha’s placement on precautionary suspension for 90 days “unlawful”. 

It is unclear whether Hendricks will be reinstated too. Questions in this regard have been sent to George Municipality.

The suspension of the two officials relates to the outcome of a forensic investigation ordered by MEC Anton Bredell, into the War on Waste project - a municipal project initiated by Melvin Naik during his reign as mayor of George.

Botha submitted an application for an interdict at the Western Cape High Court, with costs orders, against the decision of all DA councillors who supported the council item that placed him under precautionary suspension.

DA Chief Whip Marlene Barnardt said the outcome was no surprise. “We were expecting this and knew about it last week. We withdrew the opposition to Botha's application after receiving senior counsel advice that the precautionary suspension that Council passed was deficient,” she said.

“We rely on legal advice from lawyers, so it is very disappointing when that advice was found wanting. However, we know this is the nature of the legal process and we will go back and fix the mistakes.”

Brett Herron, the leader of the Good party, said the fact that George Municipality has to pay the legal costs means that money intended for service delivery is now being used to fund the DA’s “infighting and political posturing”.

“The people of George are literally paying for the DA’s interference in the administration of the George Municipality,” said Herron.