Cape Town - Former George municipality chief financial officer (CFO) Keith Jordaan is demanding an apology from ANC leader Cameron Dugmore for “attaching” his name to a DA appointment.
This after it emerged that his name has been proposed to replace the current Kannaland acting municipal manager Ian Avontuur by DA leader Tertius Simmers.
According to a statement by Dugmore, Simmers was trying to “force the appointment of a discredited acting MM in Kannaland”.
Jordaan was dismissed from the George municipality for alleged maladministration and the illegal investment of R350 million with Old Mutual – allegations he said were “cleared” by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
In a letter to Dugmore on Wednesday, Jordaan called for him to apologise and withdraw the statement.
“The DA never engaged me to become acting municipal manager of Kannaland. Dugmore called me ‘the discredited former George official’. Dugmore lies like a dog.
“The George Council injudiciously terminated my employment and inflicted undeserved damage on my person and my character and my career after serving the municipality with distinction and returning for the municipality extraordinary earnings on investment, identical to one made earlier in an immediate neighbouring municipality, and in the full knowledge and concurrence of the accounting officer, and the head of legal services, and the compliance officer.
“The investment management agreement was signed by the accounting officer, the municipal manager, and gave effect to the investment.
“Falsely accused, I had been cleared by the NPA… the George council is the discredited party.“
“I demanded, on August 10 already, an immediate withdrawal of the mendacious statement, and an unconditional apology in writing to every address which received the inconsiderate and dishonourable statement, and me copied.
“Dugmore had not even the decency to respond,“ he said.
Dugmore stood by his statement.
“Mr Jordaan was dismissed by the George Municipality for maladministration and the illegal investment of almost R300 million with Old Mutual. Clear evidence was presented that Jordaan knowingly invested millions of municipal funds into Old Mutual while it was clear that it was illegal.
“I think Mr Jordaan should come clean as to whether he was pressured by any DA councillors and leaders to make these decisions regarding the Old Mutual investment,“ he said.
Simmers has denied “trying to force” Jordaan’s appointment in Kannaland, saying he advised, in his capacity as provincial leader, the regional and constituency leadership, and did not instruct them.
Cape Times