KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna Municipality has extended Acting Municipal Manager Boy Manqoba Ngubo's tenure for a further three months, raising questions over whether the required concurrence of Western Cape MEC for Local Government Anton Bredell had been obtained before the latest extension was approved.
The decision was made at a special council meeting on Friday 7 August, when Council confirmed Ngubo's reappointment for another three-month period.
In a statement following the meeting, the municipality said continuity in leadership remained essential while the process to appoint a permanent CFO was under way.
It said Ngubo had overseen "noticeable improvements" within the administration and continued to maintain strong working relationships with local, provincial and national government. "At this pivotal time for Knysna, Council is confident that he has much more to contribute," the municipality said.
MEC concurrence questioned
The latest extension follows the municipality's clarification on 5 August regarding an earlier extension of Ngubo's acting appointment. According to the municipality, Council resolved on 14 July to extend Ngubo's appointment subject to the concurrence of Bredell, as required by legislation.
The municipality said reports that Council had not yet decided whether to extend Ngubo were factually incorrect.
It further stated that the special council meeting on 4 August did not reconsider his extension, but considered additional information requested by Bredell as part of the concurrence process.
However, the municipality's latest statement confirming the further three-month extension does not state whether the MEC's concurrence had been obtained before the decision was taken.
The municipality has been asked to clarify whether concurrence was granted, remains outstanding and, if outstanding, the basis on which Council proceeded. Bredell's office has also been approached for comment.
Hawks investigation confirmed
The latest extension comes as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, confirms that an investigation involving Ngubo remains ongoing.
Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi, DPCI sub-section commander of communication services in the Western Cape, confirmed the investigation to this publication.
"This office can confirm that the matter is under investigation, and we cannot divulge any information at this stage," Vukubi said.
Knysna Municipality previously stated that the matter was instituted by Bitou Municipality and had already been under investigation before Ngubo took up his position in Knysna in May.
The municipality also said Ngubo voluntarily disclosed the existence of the investigation when he assumed office.
According to the municipality, Council did not instruct the Hawks to investigate Ngubo, but resolved that Mayor Thando Matika would make enquiries with Bitou Municipality regarding the status of the investigation.
The municipality also stressed that the matter is separate from another Hawks investigation involving alleged corruption by senior municipal managers.
Factual inaccuracies disputed
The municipality's 5 August statement was issued in response to an earlier media report concerning Ngubo's appointment and the Hawks investigation.
It disputed claims that Council had not decided whether to extend his appointment and that Council had instructed the Hawks to investigate allegations against him.
The municipality said Council had already resolved on 14 July to extend Ngubo's appointment, subject to MEC concurrence. It also defended his performance, saying he had prioritised service delivery and institutional stability during a challenging period involving severe weather and critical water infrastructure.
The municipality said Knysna had also retained its grant funding during his tenure.
Furthermore, the municipality has been asked whether the extended appointment contains any clause dealing with the ongoing investigation, including whether his position could be reviewed should the investigation result in charges or other formal action, and whether Council considered the investigation when approving the latest extension.
The municipality has stressed that no findings have been made against Ngubo and that he remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Responses from the office of MEC Bredell and Bitou Municipality were still awaited at the time of going to press.
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