Sheriff serves Sebola, Tsengwa, Skosana

KNYSNA NEWS - The Sheriff's Office served papers on Monday 13 March to various respondents in the Knysna Municipality as part of the DA's urgent application in the Western Cape High Court to review and set aside the appointment of Municipal Manager Ombali Sebola. Sebola was appointed the new municipal manager at a council meeting on 25 January.

The court application, launched by DA Ward 9 Councillor Sharon Sabbagh, will also seek to declare the council decision of 14 February to remunerate Sebola on the maximum scale unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid.

It is set down to be heard by the Western Cape High Court on 23 March.

The papers were served on Sebola, both in his personal capacity and as municipal manager, on Knysna Mayor Ndoda Aubrey Tsengwa and Speaker Mncedisi Skosana.

All respondents had until 15 March to give notice that they are to oppose the matter and must have all affidavits filed by 3 April.

Knysna Municipal Manager Ombali Sebola

Dr Dion George, the DA's constituency head in Knysna, said in a statement on Thursday 9 March that certain processes had to be followed before the court action, which they threatened when Sebola first took office, could be brought to court. It was doing so now, at the earliest available opportunity, according to the statement.

"From the outset, the DA has opposed Sebola's appointment given his abysmal track record as municipal manager of Modimolle-Mookgophong, where a forensics audit recommended criminal charges after he irregularly approved tenders, mismanaged public finances and bankrupted the municipality," said George.

He said that the process followed by the ANC/Patriotic Alliance/EFF/PBI coalition in appointing Sebola was irregular and that Sebola was "not the highest ranked candidate, not qualified, and his employment history evidently not checked".

Both Knysna Independent Movement and the DA voted in council against the appointment as they believed it to be illegal. George said the DA will argue in court that when Sebola's appointment is set aside, any appointments made by Sebola, and any contracts he signed, will be invalid.

"All applicants who apply for employment at the Knysna Council should be aware that their appointment is tenuous and subject to being invalidated."

Tsengwa said in response to questions by KPH that they are aware of the DA's intention. "However, we cannot comment on the matter until we get official communication and/or get legal advice."

Knysna Speaker Mncedisi Skosana