KNYSNA NEWS - The Democratic Alliance is taking legal action against Knysna Municipality over the appointment of Ombali Phineus Sebola, the former municipal manager (MM) of Modimolle-Mookgophong, as Knysna's new municipal manager. He officially began his tenure yesterday, Wednesday 1 February.

Sebola's appointment was made in-committee during a controversial special council meeting which went ahead on Wednesday 25 January without a public agenda being circulated.

'No reason not to be public'

Dion George, DA Constituency Head in Knysna, claimed in a statement that Sebola has a record of mismanagement and undermining due process.

"The selection process for this unqualified candidate was riddled with irregularities and legal flaws. The council meeting to select him was irregular and the shortlisting process was improperly conducted without the availability of the necessary documents," said George. 

Sebola served as MM at the Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality, which he "grossly mismanaged", said George.

Knysna Municipality spokesperson Christopher Bezuidenhoudt said in response to questions from KPH about the legality of the meeting: "Please note that the meeting took place in-committee so no agenda was made available to the public. The outcome can only be communicated once all due processes have been completed."

George disputed this, saying the rules of council clearly state an agenda is to be circulated for any meeting. "There was no reason for the meeting not to be public. The municipal manager's appointment requires transparency," he said.

An all-time low

Susan Campbell of the Knysna Independent Movement (Kim) said the appointment of Sebola in the secret meeting took Knysna to an all-time low. 

"No legitimate reason was given for the secrecy. The only reasonable inference that can be drawn is that the coalition between the ANC, PA and PBI and their loyal voting partner, the EFF, badly wanted to hide this patently unlawful appointment from the public," said Campbell.

She said in terms of the Code of Conduct for Councillors, councillors are prohibited from sharing the contents of the agenda and selection report with the public.

"We are, however, not precluded from sharing the information about Mr Sebola that is in the public domain." Before he could be interviewed Sebola had to pass a screening, which included a reference check, which included his previous employer – Modimolle–Mookgophong Local Municipality.

"Astoundingly, Mr Sebola passed the screening. A simple internet search reveals that Mr Sebola should NEVER have passed that screening. The appointment of Sebola, who clearly lacks financial competencies, will be the final nail in Knysna's financial coffin," added Campbell.

On the day Sebola was welcomed as new municipal manager by the Knysna Municipality, George confirmed that the DA was taking legal action to overturn the appointment. "The DA has reported this outrageous violation of due process and the law, and will challenge his appointment in court," he said.

"Although we have had our differences with the DA in the past, and may very well disagree with them in future, Kim and the DA are working together to try and stop this illegal process. We therefore fully support the DA's intended court action."

'Due process was followed'

Virgill Gericke, leader of the Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners (PBI) which is part of the ruling coalition in the Knysna Council, said in a statement the PBI was "satisfied that due process was followed in the appointment". He said an independent consultant had been appointed and a report was submitted to Council.

"This includes the vetting process in accordance with the requirements of Council. The report submitted to Council does not explicitly express who should or who should not be appointed. Council exercised their right to appoint a candidate of their choice. This decision was taken with due consideration of the vision and mission of the municipality, as well as specific goals and targets," said Gericke. 

"The DA is furious that their choice of candidate was not appointed. We are a coalition government with our own views and vision for the people of the greater Knysna. We cannot dance according to the tune of the DA and their partner, Knysna Independent Movement (Kim)."

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