GOOD Statement by Sonia Bentley,
GOOD Oudtshoorn Councillor
26 June 2025
The GOOD Party has submitted a formal letter to the Municipal Manager of the Greater Oudtshoorn Municipality, raising urgent concerns regarding the irregular and unlawful appointment of Ralph Witbooi as Acting Chief of the Fire Department.
This appointment constitutes a serious breach of municipal regulations and staff policies.
Witbooi, a junior firefighter, does not meet the minimum qualifications for the role. His appointment bypassed more senior and suitably qualified officials. It is further alleged that an irregular remuneration offer saw Witbooi leap from a T5 to a T15 pay grade, a ten-level jump, despite the Municipal Staff Regulations permitting only a one-level increase for acting appointments.
GOOD is demanding clarity on:
• Whether the Director of Community Services was aware of this appointment?
• What preventative or corrective actions were taken?
• Who authorised the ten-level salary increase?
• What disciplinary steps have been initiated against those responsible?
Adding insult to injury, an external service provider was later appointed, at the cost of ratepayers, to confirm the illegality of this appointment. This is a blatant misuse of public funds and an unacceptable attempt to legitimise an unlawful act.
GOOD calls for:
• A full and transparent investigation into the matter;
• Immediate consequence management for any officials found complicit;
• The recovery of all public funds misused; and
• A commitment that all future appointments comply with municipal regulations, policies, and the principles of fairness and merit.
The people of Oudtshoorn deserve a municipality that serves the public interest, not the private interests of a select few.
Media enquiries:media@forgood.org.za