GOOD Statement by Christie Noble
GOOD Stellenbosch Municipality Councillor
24 March 2023
The GOOD Party calls for the suspension and investigation into Stellenbosch Municipal official, Ms. Annelene De Beer, after a scathing court judgement demonstrated that she brought the municipality into disrepute and is unfit to serve in local government in South Africa.
This week a high court lambasted De Beer for showing a “refusal to understand African culture” during her time as Acting Municipal Manager for using municipal law enforcement to prevent access to initiates at a local nature area.
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 lacked equal concern and respect expected of a municipal manager in a transitional phase from apartheid to an ideal constitutional state.
This behaviour by De Beer, who is currently the Director: Strategic and Corporate Services, has brought the Municipality into serious disrepute and Stellenbosch Mayor Gesie van Deventer cannot ignore these findings.
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.
Despite numerous attempts by GOOD to get clarity on the status of that report, there has been no official feedback to Council and no answer as what action, if any, would be taken in terms of the remedial action in the report.
While the municipality indicated in March 2022 that it rejected the findings, it is unclear if these were ever taken on legal review, and if indeed they were, what the outcome was.
It is unacceptable that Council has been left in the dark, while De Beer continues to act in a position for which she is clearly not suited.
GOOD has now been forced to submit a formal request for access to the municipal records in order to get some answers for the public.
However, we believe that De Beer has reached the end of road with the Municipality, especially in a community that is in dire need of real, far-reaching transformation.
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