KNYSNA NEWS - The African National Congress (ANC) in Knysna congratulated the newly elected Executive Mayor, Elrick 'Ricky' van Aswegen after an ANC coalition secured control of the town late yesterday following a week of political drama in the wake of the Acting MM Michele Gratz’ shock resignation last week.
In a statement earlier today, ANC sub-regional secretary Moyisi Magalela said councillor van Aswegen brings a wealth of experience and skills in local government into his new role.
“He is known for his service and ethical leadership,” he said, also congratulating the Executive Deputy Mayor Aubrey Tshengwa and Speaker Mertle Gombo for retaining their positions, as well as the new AMM.
“The ANC welcomes the appointment of Dr Louis Scheepers as the acting municipal manager as Dr Scheepers is an experienced local government practitioner with more than 20-years’ experience,” he said.
Magalela stated that Knysna ANC has full confidence that the new Executive Mayor, together with his deputy, speaker and acting municipal manager will hit the ground running in an endeavour to stabilise Knysna Municipality and to fulfill its constitutional mandate.
“The immediate task of the Executive Mayor and his team should be to inspire confidence among residents and business that the municipality will execute its mandate to continue delivering basic services and to create an enabling environment for our businesses to grow in these unprecedented times,” he said.
Magalela said they support the Executive Mayor in his endeavour to negotiate with other political parties in council to reach consensus and approve the budget before 30 June 2020.
“We encourage the Executive Mayor to strengthen the partnership with civil society and business as we continue to combat Covid-19. The ANC leadership has committed itself, together with the new council leadership, to work towards achieving clean governance and leading Knysna Municipality to greater heights. We wish Executive Mayor Van Aswegen and his team all the best as they embark on this mammoth task to restore the confidence of our people,” he said.
DA MP Dion George congratulated the election of Van Aswegen as Mayor of Knysna with the support of the ANC.
“We will form the official opposition in Knysna and we will appoint shadow MMC’s who will hold their counterparts to account, the people of Knysna deserve good government and the DA in opposition will ensure that this happens,” he said.
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