THE ANC in the Western Cape has accused DA leader Tertius Simmers of trying to “force” the appointment of controversial former George municipality chief financial officer (CFO) Keith Jordaan in the Kannaland municipality.
Jordaan was dismissed from the George municipality for alleged maladministration and the illegal investment of R350 million with Old Mutual.
Now it has emerged that his name has been proposed to replace the current Kannaland acting municipal manager Ian Avontuur.
ANC leader of opposition Cameron Dugmore said it was “another blatant example of DA cadre deployment”.
“It has come to our attention that DA provincial leader is alleged to be unlawfully trying to force the municipality to remove the current acting MM Ian Avontuur and replace him with the discredited former George official.
“How can a DA MEC, who has nothing to do with the local government portfolio, intervene in this way? The DA talks good governance but is busy with cadre deployment and unlawful interference in the local sphere of government. The DA must be exposed and stopped in their tracks,” said Dugmore.
However Simmers said he advised, in his capacity as provincial leader, the regional and constituency leadership, and did not instruct them.
“The repeated baseless accusation of ANC MPL Cameron Dugmore about imagined DA cadre deployment has dipped to an all time low, even for the ANC.
“The timing of the statement, following immediately on the special council meeting this morning, suggests an orchestrated plot to retain an acting municipal manager who does as the ANC bids, in reckless disregard for, and in abject defiance of legislation and regulations.
“There are several candidates equipped with the qualifications, experience, and attitude demanded to turn around what the ANC managed to flounder in Kannaland in only six months since February.
“In finding fit for purpose people, the DA considers all available data and intelligence and will make appropriate recommendations in good time.
“It is up to Council to appoint, not the DA,” he said.
Jordaan could not be reached by deadline yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Municipality’s Speaker Rodge Albertus is said to be fearing for his life after he was attacked by municipal officials recently.
It is alleged that Albertus was chased with stones and weapons and had to run for his life from officials believed to be members of his party, the Kannaland Independent Party (KIP).
The party’s secretary general Gersdwin Breda disputed the claims, charging Albertus was the one who had attacked a party member.
“I cannot fathom ways and means for ‘a party to attack a speaker’.
“But if Albertus is ‘running for his life’, I trust that he has recovered from several bouts of severe illness confirmed by medical sick certificates.
“Yet denied by his activity and public presence. Running for health and life, I am told, is beneficial,” he said.
Kannaland mayor Nicky Valentyn said Albertus continues to fear for his personal safety.
“Putting council in recess will definitely assist with calming tensions and mitigate any potential conflict and harassment of councillors,” he said.