Update
GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - ANC leader Cameron Dugmore will not retract the statement he made last week in which he voices concern about DA leader Tertuis Simmers' alleged attempt to force the appointment of former George chief financial officer Keith Jordaan as acting municipal manager in Kannaland, as replacement for 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".
Jordaan demanded an apology and a withdrawal of the statement, calling Dugmore a liar in three different ways: "Dugmore lies like a trooper…. lies like a cheap carpet…. lies like a dog."
Jordaan said the DA never engaged him for the position in Kannaland. He furthermore said he was falsely accused of wrongdoing and has since been cleared by the National Prosecuting Authority.
The matter dates back to the time when Jordaan was CFO at George Municipality and accused of maladministration and making an illegal investment.
Dugmore said to George Herald last Friday, 12 August that, in his view, if Jordaan wants to clear his name, he must clarify whether the allegation that senior DA councillors and leaders pressurised him to approve the unlawful Old Mutual investment, is true or not. "If he was pressurised, he must name the DA leaders who did so."
Only advisory
Simmers confirmed that he played an advisory role in regard of the Kannaland position. "I advised, in my capacity as provincial leader, the regional and constituency leadership and did not instruct them," said Simmers.
"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. In finding fit for purpose people, the DA considers all available data and intelligence and will make appropriate recommendations in good time. It is up to Council to appoint, not the DA – the DA has but one single member in the Kannaland Council of seven."
All claws out
Dugmore said Jordaan was dismissed from George Municipality for maladministration and the illegal investment of almost R300-million with Old Mutual. "Clear evidence was presented that Jordaan knowingly invested millions of municipal funds into Old Mutual while it was clear that it was illegal," reads the statement.
He said Simmers wants to please the Icosa councillors who have been suspended by the speaker for breaching the code of conduct.
"This Simmers wants to do to try and reach an agreement with Icosa in Oudtshoorn." Dugmore undertook to ask Cogta on a national level to investigate the matter.
Former George chief financial officer Keith Jordaan
Jordaan maintains that the George council is the discredited party.
"The George council injudiciously terminated my employment and inflicted undeserved damage on my person and my character and my career after serving the municipality with distinction and returning for the municipality extraordinary earnings on investment, identical to one made earlier in an immediate neighbouring municipality, and in the full knowledge and concurrence of the accounting officer, and the head of legal services, and the compliance officer," he said.
"The investment management agreement was signed by the accounting officer, the municipal manager, and gave effect to the investment. Why, most Western Cape municipal managers and CFOs attended a presentation on the investment vehicle during a provincial government session!
"Falsely accused, I had been cleared by the NPA… the George council is the discredited party! Dugmore is clearly unaware of the complete facts in the matter. But I do not have to explain myself to an ANC politician; certainly not to an ANC politician blatantly spewing drivel without ascertaining accuracy."
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