Update

KNYSNA NEWS - The ongoing legal saga regarding appointments in the offices of political office bearers in the Knysna Municipality continues, with no outright decision yet about the future of the seven new appointees.

Acting Municipal Manager Johannes Jonkers said on Tuesday that he obtained legal counsel after the lawyer's letter from the DA calling on him to reverse the appointments. 

Jonkers said he had studied the report of legal counsel and "communicated the recommen-dations to the offices of the political office bearers".

He said he has since also responded to the DA's lawyers, but did not want to make any further comment due to the litigious nature of the matter and the fact that the matter is HR confidential. 

Dr Dion George, the DA's political head for Knysna, said Tuesday was D-day for Jonkers to respond to their lawyer's letter. He described the response from Jonkers as "unclear and obtuse".

"Unless we get a coherent answer, our action proceeds as previously indicated," he told KPH in an interview. Asked whether the "action" referred to was a Western Cape High Court Action, he answered, "Most likely yes."

"It is very simple: the appointments are illegal and those appointed must exit their offices at the council," said George.

Meanwhile, in another instance of political toing and froing in Knysna, KIM - the DA's coalition partner in the previous administration - has claimed that the DA "shirked its responsibility to protect Knysna against vandalism and theft" last week by not attending an emergency council meeting on security, held last Friday. 

The meeting was held to address the municipality's security contract which was due to expire at midnight that night.

The meeting was called by the speaker to extend the municipality's security contract. While KIM attended the meeting, "the DA did not, preferring instead to shirk its responsibilities so it could score cheap political points".

The DA had issued a media statement saying it had refused to join the "illegal meeting".

Legal letter names political appointees

The details of seven controversial appointments recently made by Knysna Municipality have been revealed. The appointments, that were made by the new ANC-led coalition government in the Knysna Council and could cost the council an estimated R3m annually, have prompted the DA to take legal action.

 The seven people appointed in the office of political office bearers were named in a letter from the DA's attorneys, Minde Shapiro & Smith Inc.

The letter said the DA became aware on 3 October that the seven had started their employment.

These were:

In the office of the Executive Mayor, ANC Councillor Aubrey Tsengwa:

• Elrick van Aswegen as a political advisor. The letter said Council did not approve the creation of this post on 16 September 2022. Council approved a political advisor for the Deputy Executive Mayor.

• Michele Botha, Chief of Staff. Botha was a Patriotic Alliance councillor in the Bitou Local Municipality before her appointment and is the wife of Eugene Botha, the Patriotic Alliance's legal advisor.

• Marvine Plaatjies, Public Relations Officer

In the office of the Deputy Executive Mayor, Alberto Marbi of the PBI:

• Morton Gericke, Head of Office. Gericke is the brother of Virgill Gericke, who is the founder of the PBI.

• Lorrain Helger, Personal Assistant

In the office of the Speaker, ANC Councillor Mncedisi Skosana:

• Moyisi Magalela, an ANC stalwart, Head of Office

• Nandipha September, Personal Assistant. September is the daughter of PA supporter and funder Cedric September.

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