PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Bitou leadership’s vow to stomp out maladministration and misconduct by senior officials within its ranks has reached new heights this festive season with the appointment of an acting municipal manager and failed high court application by two senior officials.
During the latter part of last year the DA and AUF coalition embarked on a “house cleaning” operation by calling on an independent forensic investigator to look into claims of maladministration and misconduct by senior officials.
As a first step the municipality placed its municipal manager and head of corporate services – Thabo Ndlovu and Vuyokazi Mbelani – on precautionary suspension.
This decision was made during a council meeting in December.
The council further resolved to appoint an independent forensic investigator to investigate claims of maladministration and misconduct by senior officials.
The investigation was scheduled to be concluded within 30 days of the precautionary suspension of Ndlovu and Mbelani.
This has subsequently been completed and the report has been filed.
Council also approached the Western Cape Minister of Local Government Anton Bredell to second experienced officials to Bitou to act in a number of vacancies that have arisen over the past few months.
“In terms of the agreement with the minister, the highly experienced Johnny Douglas took office On Monday January 8, 2018, as acting municipal manager where he will serve for at least the next three months,” Bitou caucus leader Bill Nel said.
Douglas also served as acting municipal manager in Knysna last year.
In the meantime Ndlovu and Mbelani filed for an urgent interdict to overturn their precautionary suspension.
The matter was placed on the roll in the Johannesburg Labour High Court on December 20, 2017, but was however struck from the roll due to the lack of urgency.
Ndlovu and Mbelani were ordered to pay all the legal and travel costs of the municipality and its legal team.
Nel said on January 10, 2018, after consideration of a forensic report covering the allegations against the two officials, council approved the appointment of an external chairperson and officer to lead evidence against the two officials in a disciplinary hearing.
The disciplinary process is set to be completed within the next three months.
Nel added that during the last week of January an in-depth assessment of all departments within the Bitou municipality, by a high-level team of officials appointed in consultation with the provincial ministry of local government, would commence.
ARTICLE: YOLANDÉ STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD CORRESPONDENT
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