KNYSNA POLITICAL NEWS - Knysna politician Ian Uys has resigned as a proportional representative (PR) councillor of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) and Councillor Michelle Wasserman will be taking over his reins as the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) chair.

In an ordinary Council meeting today (Thursday 1 October), Council noted Uys’ resignation – submitted on 15 September and effective from Monday 28 September – and appointed Wasserman as the new MPAC chair.

When presenting the item in Council, Speaker Mertle Gombo said the office of the Acting Municipal Manager Louis Scheepers has duly informed the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) that a vacancy has occurred in the Knysna Municipal Council as per legislation.

“The IEC shall, in due course, declare in writing the person whose name is on top of the ACDP party list to be elected in the vacancy…,” she said.

Gombo stated that due to Uys’ resignation, Council has to appoint an MPAC chair in terms of Section 79(2)(c) of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act. 

“It must be remembered that the recently amended Terms of Reference of MPAC stipulates in Item 3.4 that the chairperson of MPAC should be appointed by the Municipal Council; may not be a political office bearer/executive councillor; must be an experienced councillor who has the necessary skills and experience to preside over this critical committee; and shall be from the opposition parties represented in Council,” she said.

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