The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Kai !Garib has formally reiterated our strong objection to the ongoing refusal by the Speaker, Ethel Vas, to rescind the irregular appointment of the acting municipal manager, Bennie Kordom, in council.
The DA initially voted against Kordom’s appointment as acting MM in council, on 7 March. Following Kordom’s appointment as a temporary stand-in for Obakeng Isaacs, who is currently on sick leave, COGHSTA sent a formal notification to the mayor, stating that Kordom is not adequately qualified, rendering his appointment irregular.
Despite the official notification from COGHSTA, and them sending an official to address the matter with the municipality, the Speaker has outrightly failed to heed their instruction to call a special council meeting to rectify the situation. She also failed to acknowledge the municipal manager’s offer to continue with his duties virtually, while off sick.
The DA considers the behavior of the Speaker, and the rest of council, as questionable. They not only overlooked the only Director with the necessary qualifications to be able to act in the position of MM, by way of Advocate Neethling, but have also gone out of their way to ensure that Kordom controls the reins of the municipality.
The DA distances ourselves from the shenanigans in Kai !Garib and will refer the matter to provincial level to be addressed with COGHSTA.