Tag Archives: Eden District

Warrant of Arrest for DA Councillor Rowan Spies

Mike Hampton Posted on by

A warrant of arrest was issued yesterday for Democratic Alliance Eden District Councillor Rowan Spies. Spies is more well known for his long-term relationship and family with partner Eleanore Spies who is Knysna’s DA Mayor. Knysna falls under Eden District. Rowan Spies seems to destroy the DA’s claims of having a careful vetting system for its candidates. To many locals, Rowan Spies’ unjustified selection was bizarre, his appointment thought to be the result of cronyism, his wife being the DA Speaker for Knysna and about to become Mayor. Furthermore, his … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Drought: Knysna Requests Declaration as Disaster Area

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The drought in Knysna led the Council to approve the request to Eden District to declare Knysna a disaster area. The only voice of concern at the decision was COPE’s Elrick van Aswegen who wondered if “disaster area” status would affect the tourism based economy. The opposing argument is that it’ll bring in much needed funds from larger government. Last week, Eden District approved the request which means that it now waits for Cabinet approval. The Cabinet is made up of the President, the Deputy President and Ministers. DISASTER AREA … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Rampsgebiedafkondigings – Eden District

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Verskeie can die Plaaslike Owerhede in die Eden Distrik het reeds plaaslike rampgebied afkondigings aangevra. Die meriete van die onderskeie afkondigings wissel vanaf die verwoestende brande wat tussen Desember 2016 en Januarie 2017 voorgekom het, tot droogte in veral sommige landelike gebiede, asook ten opsigte van sekere dorpe waar daar tans water sekerheidsuitdagings bestaan. Hierby ‘n tafel wat die huidige status quo aandui: Town Local disaster situation Request by Local Municipality Supported by the Eden DM Approved by Provincial cabinet Comment Kannaland Agricultural drought situation. 27/02/2017 22/03/2017 Assistance is coordinated … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Part 4: DA, Rowan Spies, Knysna Mayor & Public Protector

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Dear Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, this is the full FOURTH COMPLAINT of corruption as submitted to the Eden District office of the Public Protector. Democratic Alliance Eden District Councillor Rowan Spies is the ex-husband of Democratic Alliance Knysna Mayor Eleonore Spies. He seems to be ex-husband in title only as they live and act together as a married couple. The only visible difference in their relationship is that they are now both politicians and both have switched from the ANC to the DA. She was previously the ANC Mayor when … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Public Protector Investigating Knysna Corruption

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Allegations of Knysna government corruption and maladministration will be investigated by Advocate Gideon Landman of the Eden District Office of the Public Protector. For 6 years, a long-running battle has ensued between the Democratic Alliance (DA) and myself, Mike Hampton, an activist and citizen journalist through online platforms, Love Knysna and Knysna Keep. 9 complaints to the Public Protector and 1 to the National Council of Provinces allege tender irregularities, illegal appointments of staff to senior positions, funds meant for empowerment spent on consultants, the loss of millions in public funds … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

The Democratic Alliance are Dirty Ducks!

Mike Hampton Posted on by

There are painful, frustrating and maddening moments such as this that make me want to start a local political party that points a middle finger at Cape Town.   Memory Booysen, the ex-Democratic Alliance Mayor of Bitou a.k.a. Plettenberg Bay has been made Mayor of Eden District, the greater area under which we all fall.   During his reign in Plett, there was a major housing scandal and a major electricity scandal. More importantly, to many, is the sexting scandal wherein he was allegedly trading a job for sex – … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

ANC & DA Form Coalition in Kannaland

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the African National Congress (ANC) have formed a coalition in Kannaland, a municipality well known for its cheese and wine… The political chaos in Eden District may be more interesting than what’s happening in any other district in South Africa. The area includes Knysna, Bitou, Mosselbay, Oudtshoorn, Hessequa and Kannaland. It’s unlike the rest of the Western Cape where the DA has more power than is comfortable for democracy. I say “uncomfortable” because power breeds arrogance and corruption. The DA has followed the ANC down … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Eden Mayor Accuses Knysna Politician of Misleading Council

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Knysna Councillor Doris Nayler has become entangled in the latest political mess at Eden District. Eden Mayor Wessie van der Westhuizen has accused Nayler and Tertius Simmers of misleading the Council. Contrary to biased media, the DA is a lot like the ANC, especially with candidates being announced for the forthcoming elections. The DA has been reported as having 5 councillors in hot water and, as a party, voted against following Public Protector’s Thuli Madonsela’s findings in another matter. It should be noted that Van der Westhuizen has been no … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!