GOOD Statement by Christie Noble,
GOOD Stellenbosch Municipality Councillor
27 March 2023
The GOOD Party has submitted a formal complaint with the Stellenbosch Municipality against Ms. Annelene De Beer, after a scathing court judgement demonstrated that is she unfit to serve in local government in South Africa.
Earlier this month a high court lambasted De Beer for showing a “refusal to understand African culture” during her time as Actin Municipal Manager for using municipal law enforcement to prevent access to initiates at a local nature area.
The behaviour of De Beer, who is currently the Director: Strategic and Corporate Services, has brought the Municipality into serious disrepute and goes against what is expected of municipal staff and in particular senior management.
As GOOD we therefore request a full investigation and call for her suspension in terms of the Local Government: Regulations for Senior Management and Schedule 2: Code of Conduct for Municipal Staff.
In the judgement, Judge Daniel Thulare found that De Beer’s actions reflected a serious call for social context training before she does “a lot of damage to the project of nation building”.
He further ruled that she clearly lacks equal concern and respect expected of a municipal manager in a transitional phase from apartheid to an ideal constitutional state.
We cannot ignore the fact that the appointment of De Beer, and the role of the Mayor in that decision, have already come under scrutiny in a Public Protector’s report following an investigation into allegations of improper conduct and maladministration.
Yet, there has been no official feedback to Council on the status of this report and no answer as what action, if any, would be taken in terms of the remedial action in the report.
The shameful conduct of De Beer is not in line with the principles and values enshrined in our Constitution and simply has no place in South Africa.
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