Good turns to PP about staff appointments

GEORGE NEWS - The Good Party has asked the Public Protector for an urgent investigation into alleged irregular staff appointments at the George Municipality. According to the DA, there were no irregularities involved in any of the appointments in question.

Meanwhile, the police is still investigating further allegations by Good Councillor Donovan Saptoe, who said he received threats in WhatsApp messages from the Director of Community Services Allen Paulse, whom he believes played a central role in the alleged irregular appointments.

These threats, said Saptoe, followed after he made a formal request to Mayor Leon van Wyk to investigate the matter.

Southern Cape police spokesperson Capt Malcolm Pojie said the investigation into the allegations is quite intricate and will take some time to be finalised. "Only then will the docket be submitted to the DPP (Directors of Public Prosecutions) for a decision," he said.

Asked about Good's allegations of irregular appointments, municipal spokesperson Chantèl Edwards said a full report rebutting the allegations made by Saptoe was submitted to Council on 14 April. "The allegations were dismissed by Council. All staff matters are treated as confidential and the municipality will not divulge any further information."

Director of Community Services Allen Paulse.

DA Constituency Head Mimmy Gondwe said the DA notes the decision taken by Saptoe to refer the appointments to the office of the Public Protector for further investigations as this will finally put the matter to rest.

"As a citizen of this country, Cllr Saptoe is well within his rights to request the office of the PP to investigate this matter further. As far as we are concerned there were no irregularities involved in making the said appointments and the said appointments were made with the requisite council approval," said Gondwe.

She said they therefore look forward to findings of the PP confirming this fact and exonerating them in this regard. "The DA condemns any threats of violence or intimidation by municipal officials or sitting councillors. Should there be any charges laid at the police in this regard, we will await their report. The municipality will also be providing a more detailed response on the matter in due course."

Good Councillor Donovan Saptoe.