https://www.polity.org.za
Deepening Democracy through Access to Information
Home / Statements RSS ← Back
Close

Email this article

separate emails by commas, maximum limit of 4 addresses

Sponsored by

Close

Embed Video

SA: Petitions Committee investigates allegations of maladministration and financial irregularities against Knysna Municipality

SA: Petitions Committee investigates allegations of maladministration and financial irregularities against Knysna Municipality
Photo by Flickr

10th February 2016

By: Sane Dhlamini
Creamer Media Senior Contributing Editor and Researcher

SAVE THIS ARTICLE      EMAIL THIS ARTICLE

Font size: -+

/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Select Committee on Petitions and Executive Undertakings, after having listened to a petition of maladministration and financial irregularities against Knysna municipality which was submitted by Mr Mike Hampton, has resolved to investigate the matter further in order to arrive at a sound determination.

Mr Hampton is a community activist from the Knysna area, who is complaining about the alleged irregular funding of Knysna Tourism with taxpayers’ money; the alleged illegal tendering of the Integrated Strategic Development Framework (ISDF) for Knysna to a company which had not scored the highest points and is headed by a local property developer. His petition also alleges an illegal appointment of a municipal manager and the irregularities resulting from his appointment. The petitioner also claims unconstitutional blocking of his e-mails by the municipality. In addition, he alleges that his efforts seeking intervention from the Western Cape Provincial Government were in vain. He also claims that the local media has been barred from carrying his articles, but the same media would write stories about him and not give him an opportunity to respond. He attributes this to the community media not wanting to lose revenue as they depend on municipal advertising.

Representatives of the provincial government - from Local Government and Finance - were present to respond to matters in their purview. Provincial Finance Department conceded to being aware of the ISDF Tender investigation of 2014, but said it was still ongoing thus could not pronounce on the findings. Both provincial representatives were mum on allegations of unlawful of appointment of the municipal manager and other matters contained in the petition. The Committee resolved to give them until 19 February 2016 to furnish it with substantive responses as the ones provided lacked detailed information. 

The Committee also expressed its displeasure at the absence of the Knysna Municipality which happens to be a critical player in the matter, but the Committee said it would not hesitate to use constitutional provisions available at its disposal to ensure that this did not recur and that this matter is put to rest.

Advertisement

 

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of Committee Chairperson Kgosi Setlamorago Thobejane

Advertisement

 

EMAIL THIS ARTICLE      SAVE THIS ARTICLE

To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Comment Guidelines

 

About

Polity.org.za is a product of Creamer Media.
www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include:
Engineering News
Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa

Read more

Subscriptions

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

View store

Advertise

Advertising on Polity.org.za is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za

View options
Free daily email newsletter Register Now