GOOD statement by Bongani Sonqwenqwe,
GOOD Overberg District Councillor
7 November 2024
The GOOD party calls for transparency in the selection of Roslyn Saptoe as the new Acting Swellendam Municipal Manager.
In a council motion supported by the ANC & FF+, Saptoe was appointed as the Acting Municipal Manager. She replaces HR Manager Peter le Roux who had been acting while Municipal Manager, Anneleen Vorster, has been suspended for 30 days pending an investigation into alleged misconduct.
The appointment of Roslyn Saptoe raises questions about the process of selection, since she is not currently employed by the Swellendam Municipality, and has been parachuted in from outside.
The ANC and FF+ must explain why they proposed and appointed her and what due diligence was conducted before the appointment.
One aspect of a due diligence process should have included questions regarding the GOOD Party’s criminal complaint against Roslyn Saptoe, and her husband Donovan Saptoe, which we understand is currently under investigation.
In July 2023 GOOD participated in three by-elections in George. Saptoe failed to account for R162,000 of party funds.
GOOD filed criminal charges.
Despite several promises from the Saptoes to account for the money, to date, they have been unable to do so.
In a statement, the municipality says ‘Saptoe brings extensive experience in municipal financial management and auditing to her role as Acting Municipal Manager. ‘
We are appalled that someone under investigation for serious financial misconduct charges has been appointed to manage the funds of a municipality, even if only for 30 days.
The residents of Swellendam deserve an explanation for why Saptoe was appointed, what qualifies her to be appointed and what due diligence was conducted.
Media enquiries:
Bongani Sonqwenqwe, Overberg District Councillor
Cell: 083 6911173
Email: sonqwenqwe@gmail.com
Samantha Jackson, GOOD: Acting Media Manager
Cell: 083 5509875
Email: samantha@forgood.org.za