GEORGE NEWS - Both Municipal Manager Trevor Botha and Director of Protection Services Steven Erasmus will be "out of office" until the middle of January next year.
The two senior officials have been put on precautionary suspension with immediate effect for 60 days, following a special council meeting held last week Friday that was closed to the public and media.
George Mayor Melvin Naik confirmed the news, saying this action will allow for the investigation of allegations submitted by a George councillor.
The councillor he referred to is DA Portfolio Councillor Cecil Noble, who submitted allegations of financial misconduct and/or transgressions of the disciplinary code levelled against Botha and Erasmus.
However, not all in Council were in favour of the decision to suspend the two officials. The ANC recorded their names against the suspension. In a press statement issued by ANC Chief Whip Nomawethu Jantjies-Gushman, she said her party questions Council's haste in dealing with the matter, even though nothing in the tabled reports substantiate the charges.
"We furthermore move to say that the process followed by Cllr Nobel is a serious interference in administration which translates into breach of conduct," reads the statement.
"We are not opposing disciplinary action against any form of transgression, but we insist on due process and procedures." The ANC is of the opinion that the real reason behind Botha's suspension is connected to the appeal hearing of former chief financial officer Keith Jordaan, scheduled for early December. "They [names withheld] want the MM out of the way so that they can appoint a new legal team," reads the statement.
Trevor Botha.
The ANC blames Western Cape Minister of Local Government Anton Bredell for "taking sides and overstepping his authority". Officials will perform the function of acting municipal manager on a rotational basis.
Investigations
Several ongoing investigations are currently taking place at the George Municipality, including a forensic investigation ordered by Bredell. It is not clear whether the latest allegations against Botha and Erasmus will form part of the forensic investigation.
Bredell's spokesperson, James-Brent Styan, confirmed that the forensic investigation is ongoing, but said they don't want to comment on the status quo at George Municipality.
Cecil Noble.
Read previous articles:
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
