KNYSNA NEWS - The Knysna council has finally appointed a new permanent municipal manager after many months of turmoil.
Lulamile Mapholoba, who served as municipal manager of uMhlathuze in KwaZulu-Natal, that includes Richards Bay, and before that of Kokstad, started work on Monday 2 December.
His appointment follows the departure of the previous municipal manager Ombali Sebola, whose appointment was ruled to be illegal.
His replacement as acting municipal manager, Setloane Malepeng, butted heads with the ruling coalition mayor Aubrey Tsengwa (ANC) and deputy mayor Alberto Marbi (PBI) over an alleged death threat made to Malepeng at a meeting held at the George Airport in August. Police are still investigating the matter.
Drama
Mapholoba's appointment also came with drama as the picks of the ANC and PBI for the position were unsuccessful, as well as the ANC's candidate for director of corporate services.
At a meeting on 22 November a rift emerged among the top members of the ruling ANC/PBI/EFF/PA coalition over the issue, with Marbi and councillor Neil Louw (EFF) tabling motions of no confidence calling for the removal of the mayor (ANC), speaker (ANC) and chief whip (ANC).
'Motions won't be withdrawn'
Marbi confirmed that the motions of no confidence were tabled "to the speaker to serve" and said he could not give the content of the motions until they had been tabled. It was to have happened this week, but the council meeting has been postponed until next week.
Marbi confirmed "that the motions will not be withdrawn".
'Three years, many court cases'
KIM said in a statement that the Knysna council "finally" appointed a municipal manager and directors.
"It took the current council three years and many court cases, but there is hope that Knysna will finally have a competent and qualified senior management team to take the town forward," said KIM.
On Friday, 22 November, the Knysna council voted to extend offers of employment to the following candidates: Mapholoba, municipal manager; Marlene Boyce, director corporate services; Johnny Douglas, director community services; Richard Martin, director integrated human settlements; and Reginald Wesso, director infrastructure services.
'Administrative stability'
"Should all candidates accept the offers, the Knysna municipality will have a full complement of senior managers, bringing administrative stability to the organisation," said KIM. During the council meeting Douglas and Wesso were supported by all councillors.
Martin was supported by all councillors, except the DA, as they did not believe that the human settlements directorate was justified.
"The appointment of the MM was more complicated," said KIM. "The EFF and PBI supported a candidate from Limpopo, whereas the ANC and PA voted for an Eastern Cape candidate.
'Opposition vote carried day'
"KIM and the DA voted for Mr Mapholoba, based on his vast experience, superior performance in the interviews, excellent references and own research. Due to the split vote of the ruling coalition, the opposition vote carried the day.
"When the director corporate services was elected, the EFF and PBI did not vote with the ANC and PA and again the vote of the DA and KIM carried the day.
'Accept the outcome'
"We look forward to starting the new year with a motivated and qualified senior management team that can turn the page on the turbulent chapter our town has been experiencing," said KIM.
Marbi said: "In a democratic society you accept the outcome and therefore the majority preferred someone else and we accepted the outcome."
'Dedication, contributions'
Tsengwa in a letter last week said he was "pleased to inform you (Knysna)" of "a significant development regarding the administrative leadership of our municipality", announcing Mapholoba's selection as the new municipal manager.
"This decision marks the end of Mr Setloane Malepeng's tenure as acting municipal manager. Mr Malepeng concluded his service with the council today, and we express our sincere gratitude for his dedication and contributions during this period," said Tsengwa.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
