KNYSNA NEWS - Council has decided to act on disciplinary proceedings against former Knysna mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies by referring the matter directly to provincial local government minister Anton Bredell for a decision.
The allegations against Bouw-Spies came to light during an investigation into the conduct of former municipal manager Kam Chetty last year. The findings of this investigation were presented to council on 4 September 2018 by De Swardt Vögel Myambo Attorneys, under item SC01/09/18.
The report addressed 15 allegations against Chetty, including misconduct and fraud, and also recommended that action be taken against Bouw-Spies as Chetty's immediate superior. After her being implicated in fraud, it was resolved that council consider disciplinary proceedings against Bouw-Spies in terms of Schedule 1 of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.
After a council meeting last Thursday 28 February, DA councillor Peter Myers explained why the matter was being referred directly to Bredell for a decision instead of being subjected to an internal disciplinary process. He said it would be very difficult to constitute a disciplinary committee within council that would look at the Bouw-Spies case objectively and unbiased. It is also likely that any outcome of council disciplinary proceedings would be criticised as politically motivated.
"It is in the best interest of council that this matter be directly referred to the office of the MEC where they are very capable of handling this matter in a fair manner," he said.
When asked for comment, Bouw-Spies said the De Swart report was compiled without obtaining a statement from her.
"Although the report states that 'appropriate witnesses' were consulted, I was not interviewed and was not given the opportunity to respond to the allegations against me. What is factual is that there is not a single charge that has been presented and I have certainly not received any as required by law. I am innocent of the one-sided allegations made against me. I am confident that I will succeed in clearing my name after due process," she concluded.
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