The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling on ANC political leadership to enforce the immediate step-down of the Speaker of the Kamiesberg Municipality, Melvin Cloete, and to ensure that all appropriate administrative and disciplinary processes relating to Municipal Manager Rufus Beukes are prioritised and pursued in accordance with applicable legislation and due process.
This renewed call follows a court order imposing stricter bail conditions and barring both Cloete and Beukes from municipal offices after they are alleged to have breached those conditions.
The matter relates to a criminal case concerning the procurement of water pumps that were allegedly paid for but never delivered.
With both individuals effectively unable to access municipal workplaces, their continued occupancy of these positions raises serious concerns regarding governance, accountability and the municipality’s ability to fulfil its obligations to residents.
It serves little purpose for the municipality to retain a Municipal Manager in name only while he is unable to enter his office or perform his statutory duties. Similarly, the Speaker’s alleged involvement in the same matter undermines public confidence in the municipality’s ability to ensure accountability and proper consequence management.
The integrity of the court process must be respected, and justice must be allowed to run its course without interference. At the same time, the municipality cannot be left in a state of uncertainty while critical leadership positions remain occupied by individuals who are unable to fully execute their responsibilities.
Kamiesberg residents deserve stable, active and accountable leadership capable of addressing the municipality’s ongoing water, sanitation and broader service delivery challenges.
The DA will continue to monitor developments closely and will insist that the interests of residents remain the foremost priority throughout this process.