GOOD statement by Christie Noble
GOOD: Stellenbosch Municipality Councillor
17 August 2022
The GOOD Party calls for full investigation into the role of Stellenbosch Mayor, Gesie van Deventer in the appointment of Ms. Annelene de Beer as Director: Strategic and Corporate Services.
The appointments of De Beer in 2016 and chief financial officer Kevin Carolus in 2019 came under scrutiny in a Public Protector`s report following an investigation into allegations of improper conduct and maladministration by the Stellenbosch Local Municipality.
However, on 31 March 2022 the municipality rejected the findings, arguing that the “baseless complaints were lodged with the public protector by an aggrieved ex-councillor”.
The Constitutional Court has determined that the remedial actions and findings by the Public Protector are binding in law. This means the report needs to either be implemented or taken on legal review within 120 days.
As part of the investigation into De Beer’s appointment, we further call for the recommendations of the Selection Panel that interviewed and recommended the appointments be produced for scrutiny. This is to confirm or dispel the suggestions that there was undue interference by the Mayor.
The Municipality must update the public on what action, if any, it has decided to take on the Public Protector report.
GOOD has submitted a motion for this issue to be tabled at the next Council meeting on 24 August.
Media Enquiries:
Christie Noble, GOOD: Stellenbosch Municipality Councillor
Cell: 062 401 4506
Email: christienoble11@gmail.com
Janke Tolmay, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 0733671223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za