Lisa Isaacs
AN ACTING municipal manager and chief financial officer have been brought in from the Bitou municipality to help steer the embattled Oudtshoorn municipality back to functionality.
Oudtshoorn administrator Kam Chetty yesterday announced the appointment of Allen Paulse as acting municipal manager and Felix Lotter as acting chief financial officer.
Strategic Services manager Luwellyn Coetzee said the two are working at the Bitou municipality and would be in Oudtshoorn three days a week.
“They are still employed by Bitou municipality and were seconded to support the Oudtshoorn municipality in their separate roles,” he said.
“From January 25, 2016, they officially started with their duties and will continue to fulfil these roles until the administration period is concluded.”
In December, the provincial executive resolved to extend the administration of the Oudtshoorn municipality until the local government elections.
Chetty was appointed as administrator in August last year, after the municipality had been in a quagmire for months, with politicians battling for control of the council, resulting in the failure to pass a budget.
The municipality has had an uphill battle tackling various issues, including the intention to pay outstanding debt to service providers in 30 days, with the council owing Eskom R15 million.
It also planned to audit electricity meters for fraud and will consider a truth and reconciliation commission over allegations of nepotism and irregular appointments.
The municipality is also looking to identify land for housing and will investigate the financial situation of the Cango Caves.