KNYSNA NEWS - The 15 respondents named in the urgent Western Cape High Court application by the DA to reverse what it calls "cadre deployments" will oppose the matter.
Notice to oppose the application, which had been filed earlier by Julie Lopes and the DA, was filed in the Western Cape High Court on 28 October.
In a letter, also dated 28 October, the respondents' legal representative Nandi Bulabula informed the DA's legal representatives of the respondents' intent to oppose the application.
This could result in an extended and costly legal wrangle. Bulabula says in her letter that it is "simply not practical" to complete the matter within the "extremely constricted" time periods given.
"There are no less than 15 respondents. We need to consult with every one of them, especially those against whom personal costs orders are sought," Bulabula said.
"Our clients need our assistance in order to compile a proper Rule 53 record. We cannot provide that assistance without having had proper consultations with our clients." She said she would be supplying the DA's legal representatives with a proposed draft timetable early next week.
"If your client is not amenable to this avenue, and should your client insist on seeking to have the application heard on 29 November, we hold instructions to have counsel appear in court on that day to address the question of urgency," said Bulabula.
In the meantime, the resignation of Acting Municipal Manager Johannes Jonkers was announced on 24 October. In response to questions, Constituency Head of the DA in Knysna Dr Dion George said that the DA will add the new acting municipal manager, Roland Butler, to its court action, as well as an eighth staff member who was "illegally" employed in the mayor's office.
When Butler was asked if he will be signing the contracts for the appointees and if the municipality will be supporting the action to oppose the urgent application brought by the DA, he said, "Knysna Municipality is not at liberty to comment as this matter is sub judice, however, I can say that I am considering all the facts at hand".
George also responded that the notice to oppose could drag out the matter and that the DA has asked for costs.
"Our view is that the council should not spend money on defending a clearly illegal position. Individuals responsible will be held to account to pay for wasteful spending," said George.
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