PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Bitou Municipality Municipal Manager Mbulelo Memani has become the first top official in the municipality to be targeted by the new ANC-led coalition, weeks after it took control on 2 February.

Memani has been placed on suspension for various allegations based on a report from the new mayor, Claude Terblanche, who left the former DA-led coalition to join the new coalition with his party, the PDC. 

Former mayor Dave Swart said he wanted to dispel rumours that Memani had resigned.

He said that during an urgent special in-committee council meeting on Wednesday 21 February, the ruling coalition of ANC-PDC-PA-IPM councillors voted 7 - 6 to place Memani on suspension. 

Swart said Memani has seven days to respond with reasons why he should not be placed on suspension.

“Should the MM be suspended, the ANC-led coalition in council has authorised the mayor (Terblanche) to appoint an investigator to investigate the allegations," said Swart, Ward 2 councillor.  

“An unsuccessful attempt was also made on 7 February at an in-committee council meeting to suspend the municipal manager and Chief Financial Officer.

“It appears that at the meeting of 21 February the ANC-led coalition reconsidered the suspension of the CFO, preferring to first allow him to conclude the 2024/25 budget process to avoid possible financial collapse if this is not done properly."

Asked by KPH to comment, Terblanche said “no comment” until “the entire process has been concluded”. This could take up to three months. Memani in turn referred KPH to ANC councillor and Speaker, Sandiso Gcabayi saying: “Special Council and all council meetings are called by the Speaker.”

Gcabayi responded to KPH when asked for the decisions and reasons of the special council meeting, saying: “In committee item”.

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