Adonis in Knysna hot seat

KNYSNA NEWS - The Knysna municipal council has appointed Dawid Adonis as Knysna's new acting municipal manager (AMM), starting from 12 December.

Adonis was appointed at an ordinary council meeting on Thursday 3 December, succeeding Dr Louis Scheepers, whose second term comes to and end on 11 December.

He is the third AMM since the suspension of Municipal Manager Sithembele Vatala in February this year.

After Vatala's suspension, Council appointed Dr Michel Gratz as the AMM on 13 February and her term was extended in May. On 11 June, Scheepers was appointed as the AMM and his term was extended for another three months until 11 December.

In a statement, Knysna Municipality spokesperson Christopher Bezuidenhoudt said Adonis is no stranger to Knysna and its communities.

"He started his career at the Knysna Municipality as manager for Integrated Human Settlements before becoming the director for Community Services. He currently is back at the helm of the Human Settlements Department as acting director," he said.

DA caucus leader Michelle Wasserman declined to comment on the matter.

ANC Southern Cape regional secretary Major Sokopo said from the ANC point of view, Adonis is a suitable candidate for the position. "He has been around in Knysna Municipality, working as a director and before that as a municipal manager ... I think it will help the Knysna Council in ensuring that a number of things are taking place. He will help take the town forward," he said.

The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) Knysna branch chair, Shaun Kralo, said they welcome Knysna Council's decision to release Scheepers at the end of his contract and replace him with Adonis as an AMM for three months.

"We are also disappointed by the delay in the case of Vatala. We need the case to be concluded. Samwu Knysna wants to congratulate Adonis on his new role and we promise to give him all the support he will need to make sure that he fulfills the mandate of Council.