PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - With nearly four decades of experience in local government, Bitou's new acting municipal manger is set to shake the municipality's affairs back into shape.
The Bitou Municipality confirmed that Richard Bosman has taken over the reins as acting municipal manager after the resignation of his beleaguered counterpart Advocate Lonwabo Ngoqo last month.
Ngoqo's tenure as municipal manager has been shrouded in controversy, especially after he was appointed in the position in February 2019 following his dismissal from the same municipality over financial misconduct in 2012.
Local government legislation does not allow a municipal manager who had been found guilty of serious financial misconduct in a disciplinary hearing to be appointed in this position for 10 years. Various court cases and appeals followed.
Though there has not been judgement in the latest appeal, Ngoqo's resignation was accepted on 26 November this year. Although he remains in the municipality's employ until 31 December, he has already vacated his office.
In a statement municipal spokesman Andile Namntu said Bosman would occupy the position for three months while the municipality was in the process of filling the position permanently.
He said Bosman comes with a wealth of experience in local government. He started his journey in 1985 and his career included senior management positions in various municipalities, including the City of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Overstrand and Theewaterskloof.
Bosman said that among the many highlights of his career, the nearly 12-year stint at the City of Cape Town was "the best". During this period, Bosman served as executive director of safety and security and managed a budget of more than R6-billion. In this position Bosman introduced many changes in law enforcement, fire services, metro traffic and metro police departments.
"The work he did there ensured that some of these departments are the best in the country," Namntu said.
About his temporary position in Bitou, Bosman said that there is a lot to be done. "I will use the three months I have to do the best I can," he said.
Namntu welcomed Bosman to the Bitou Municipality and said they are looking forward to working with him.
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