Cape Town - Former Mossel Bay Municipality manager, Thys Giliomee’s employee contract has been prematurely terminated before an internal disciplinary process against him was concluded.
Giliomee was placed on special, full-paid leave earlier this year after allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct surfaced.
In a statement, Mossel Bay mayor Harry Levendal confirmed the “agreement” to terminate Giliomee’s contract “after extensive negotiations”.
The statement detailed how the DA-led municipality and Giliomee agreed to terminate his employment contract on July 13, and this decision followed the suspension and an investigation into alleged misconduct by Giliomee.
Mossel Bay municipality spokesperson Nicky le Roux said: “a settlement was reached before a disciplinary hearing took place” but could not comment further on the matter.
Levendal said the “settlement was the logical and best solution in the circumstances”.
“Giliomee joined Mossel Bay Municipality as municipal manager on December 1, 2016, and his contract was due to expire on November 31, 2021... Giliomee leaves a stable administration with exceptionally high standards of municipal service delivery. Mossel Bay Municipality will maintain these high standards and commitment to service delivery excellence to its residents,” Levendal said.
Giliomee – who stood accused of sexual harassment and commission of a sexual act against a subordinate – declined to comment and referred the Cape Times to the municipality statement.
Good Party member of Parliament, Brett Herron, said: "The DA has given another municipal manager in the Garden Route District a golden handshake when that manager is facing serious allegations which could amount to dismissal. Instead of proceeding with the disciplinary processes, they allow those who have allegedly committed horrendous offences to walk away with their pockets full.
"This is not good governance but a gross abuse of public funds," said Herron.
ANC leader Cameron Dugmore said while they commended the municipality for "accepting Giliomee's resignation", there was not enough transparency.
"It is absolutely critical that the voters and ratepayers know what was done behind closed doors. From the ANC's side, we will be investigating and following that matter up.”
When the allegations surfaced against Giliomee, the municipality initially denied this, but later confirmed the former municipal manager had been placed on special leave following a special council meeting.
He was suspended with full payment as per prescribed legislation “until the finding and sanction from the presiding officer in the matter is communicated” and the disciplinary proceedings were completed, the municipality said at the time.
Giliomee was given seven days to respond to the charges levelled against him and make submissions about why he should not be suspended.
Cape Times