KNYSNA POLITICAL NEWS - Knysna Municipal Manager Dr Sitembele Vatala handed in his resignation at the municipality last week with some questions still hanging in the air.
Municipal spokesperson Christopher Bezuidenhoudt confirmed that Mayor Elrick van Aswegen received Vatala's resignation on Saturday 21 August.
"Vatala has taken up the position of municipal manager at the Central Karoo District Municipality," Bezuidenhoudt said.
His resignation was set to be served before the council at a special council meeting on Wednesday 25 August for further deliberation. This deliberation is linked to an ongoing disciplinary matter against Vatala.
"We therefore cannot give any further comment on the matter," Bezuidenhoudt said.
''We also do not have final expenditure figures (salary and legal) at this stage, as we still need to receive final accounts from the officer leading evidence and the chairperson of the disciplinary hearing.
"The allegations were levelled against him by the municipality in February last year and Vatala was placed on precautionary suspension on 14 February 2020. The details of his suspension have not been disclosed as it is an internal municipal matter.
"Vatala's resignation could possibly result in the termination of his disciplinary hearing, but he still faces other accusations."
The Knysna Ratepayers Association this week said that it had submitted two complaints of financial misconduct against Vatala in February 2020 and would issue a press release on the matter once the council meeting has been held.
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