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Thursday, 17 December 2020, 14:30 Many moons ago: former George traffic chief Donovan Saptoe (left) and provincial traffic head Kenny Africa. Photo: Michelle Pienaar
GEORGE NEWS - George no longer has a traffic chief.
Donovan Saptoe, who was suspended nearly 14 months ago, has finally been dismissed following the outcome of a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday 1 December.
Saptoe was not present at the hearing. I was unwell and presented a doctor s letter, said Saptoe. I can only confirm that I was tried in my absence and convicted. The case will have to be continued on arbitration so that we can test the validity of this decision.
Monday, 14 December 2020, 20:03 Dr Michelle Gratz
GEORGE NEWS - Dr Michelle Gratz will fill the position of acting municipal manager from 1 January 2021, until such time when the position is filled permanently. The decision was taken last Friday 11 December during a Special Council Meeting closed to the public and media.
In the interim, the director of Protection Services. Steven Erasmus, will hold the reigns as acting municipal manager up to 31 December.
“Dr Gratz, a resident of George, is eminently qualified, having worked at George Municipality for 12 years before serving as Municipal Manager at Mossel Bay Municipality for seven years. She meets the prescribed competency requirements for the position,” said Municipal Spokesperson Chantel Edwards-Klose.
Richard Hector
GEORGE NEWS - The Good party has lodged a complaint against George Mayor Leon Van Wyk following a municipal statement last week which made public a council resolution on a confidential item.
The statement was released on Wednesday afternoon, 2 December, shortly after Council deliberated requests from Municipal Manager Trevor Botha and Director of Community Services Walter Hendricks, that their contracts with George Municipality be terminated.
In addition, Good s representative in Council, Richard Hector, is disgruntled with Speaker Gerrit Pretorius, whom he says has refused Good s request to make the matter publicly available in the first place.
Hector says the party once again calls upon Pretorius to move the confidential decision to the open agenda so that the people of George can scrutinise the full story .