Question NW1175 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
24 April 2023 - NW1175
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What are the reasons that the (a) Municipal Manager of the Garden Route District Municipality, Mr M Stratu, and (b) former Municipal Manager of Knysna, Dr S W Vatala, who appeared in court on charges relating to fraud and forgery, were not suspended and (b) vetting processes were not followed when the specified persons were appointed?
Reply:
a) In terms of regulation 6(1) of the Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers, Government Notice No.344 as published in Government Gazette No. 34213 of 21 April 2011, the prerogative to suspend Mr M Stratu as the Municipal Manager lies with the Municipal Council of Garden Route District Municipality, in its capacity as the employer. (b) Dr SW Vatala has left the service of Knysna Municipality and therefore his suspension is moot.
b) The incumbents were not convicted and sentenced on charges relating to fraud and forgery at the time of their respective appointments, and therefore their appointments were not prohibited.
End.