Drama as municipal manager returns
2007-08-23
May Saal
THE ANC is piling on the pressure on the DA/ID coalition this week, especially with a view to the floor crossing period which starts next week.
Only five defections from the ranks of the coalition are required for the ANC to regain control of the Drakenstein Municipal Council.
On Monday, the war of nerves started with the return of the suspended Drakenstein Municipal Manager, Dr Sidima Kabanyane, to his office.
He ordered the acting municipal manager, David Delaney, to vacate his office on the grounds that his suspension had lapsed after thirty days.
According to his contract he cannot be suspended for longer than a month without a disciplinary hearing, while the ruling DA/ID coalition insists that his suspension is valid until the outcome of the disciplinary investigation is known.
Kabanyane is apparently considering suing the mayoral committee for illegal suspension.
The Drakenstein municipal council temporarily suspended the municipal manager during a special meeting on 16 July due to a “breach of faith” which has been dubbed a “witchhunt” by the ANC opposition.
Kabanyane was first informed of his suspension on Thursday 5 July, after the animosity of the ruling DA/ID coalition towards the ANC appointed municipal manager had come to a head.
The suspension followed weeks of rumours that the ruling coalition had discovered that six political support staffers appointed by the ANC could not be replaced by their own support staff, as their contracts had been extended by the ANC to five years irrespective of the mayoral term.
Complaints about the contracts, which were authorised by Corporate Affairs chief Khaya Mrali at the request of former mayor Charmaine Manuel, were laid with Kabanyane, demanding that Mrali be suspended. Kabanyane did not act.
Another complaint which surfaced against Kabanyane is that he had not acted on the request of the WCC that one of its two councillors, Philmon Maxam, should be removed from Council following his suspension by his party.
Maxam is expected to cross the floor to the ANC in September.
Other allegations against Kabanyane related to the fact that the performance management system and the portfolio committees had not yet been launched. Complaints of nepotism, obstruction and lack of leadership were also aired.
According to the spokesperson of the ANC in the Western Cape, Garth Strachan, the original suspension of Kabanyane was carried out by the acting mayor Wilhelm Nothnagel, when Council was in recess and without due and proper process.
“The matter was only formally tabled, as the law requires, in Council on 16 July. No hearing has been held in the ensuing 30 days nor has the investigator’s report been made available.”
According to Mcebisi Skwatsha, provincial secretary of the ANC, the DA/ID coalition’s actions demonstrate “a cavalier and callous disregard for due process and the labour law, which protects duly appointed officials.”
He called for the reinstatement of Kabanyane.
According to a DA/ID spokesperson they had acted within the law.
“Otherwise the ANC would have instituted legal steps by now.
“The complaints against Kabanyane have not been publicised, as the matter is still under investigation and sub judice.”
“We are considering obtaining an interdict to ensure that Kabanyane does not return to his office before the investigation has been completed.
“It is clear that this matter is used by the ANC as a publicity stunt in the last days before the floor crossing window opens.”
Executive Mayor, councillor Koos Louw said that the multi-party coalition in Drakenstein, with their leaders, are staunch supporters of an efficient and a service-driven local goverrnment.
"We will not allow political and improperly informed activists and opposition to derail our efforts to reach our set goals.
"These goals have been identified through a process of consultation with residents and roleplayers and we will strive to reach these goals, because the community derserve nothing less. This coalition inherited an administration stripped of crucial and operational expertise and we will address these shortcomings".
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