Tag Archives: Reggie Smit

The suffering ‘Ostriches’ of Oudtshoorn (and ‘Mayor’ Chris MacPherson)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

This complaint addresses fraud in the town of Oudtshoorn and allegedly involves DA Mayoral candidate Chris MacPherson. I submit to the political and the administrative, addressing DA Federal Executive Chair Helen Zille and Western Cape Premier Alan Winde. THE SECRET AIRPORT ACCOUNT This audio recording, circa 2012/2013, allegedly features (then DA Speaker) Christopher Macpherson and Charles Meyer (ex- Chair of the external Audit Committee). One of the biggest scandals in Oudtshoorn at the time was the estimated 2000 Chinese aeroplane training flights per month, with no money going to the … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

The Rotten Heart of Knysna in Council Today

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Attention Knysna Councillors! Will you, in the Special Council Meeting today, serve the Public or further legitimise the rotten heart of the Knysna Municipality? Acting Municipal Manager Johnny Douglas requests you ignore that Manon McDonald, ex-Manager Electrical Department, was involved in the process that granted R1.3-million in tenders to Jam Electrical, a company whose only member is her husband. Absurdly, Douglas accepts the investigation team’s advice that the related disciplinary hearing against previous Municipal Manager Grant Easton suffices as sufficient warning to staff to obey tender regulations. Easton quit, unpunished. … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Over R1million Salaries for Knysna Municipal Staff (Part 2)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

If you haven’t yet, read Part 1 here. The goal of this blog is not to condemn professionals being rewarded for their skills (we all want that) but if any are involved in hampering honest government then they do not deserve to be rewarded. Furthermore, the matter deserves public debate when you consider that: Knysna is hampered by cruel unemployment with official statistics at 25% for all and Coloureds, the largest population demographic, at almost 50% (and the government is notorious for underestimations). The middle class is notably shrinking which … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

New Director for Corporate Services

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The Knysna Municipality has appointed Bevan Ellman as new Director Corporate Services. Mr Ellman takes on the position previously held by Mr Reggie Smit, whose contract had ended with the municipality at the end of last year. Mr Gumbi Tyelela has been acting in this position for the past two months. The Knysna Municipal Manager said she and her staff were looking forward to working with Mr Ellman. “His experience at all levels of the municipal environment will be of great value to our organisation and will bring a new … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Knysna DA’s 100-Day Action Plan (Part 3)

Mike Hampton Posted on by

The goal of this blog is to promote questioning by the public and to encourage the DA to stop pretending to be leaders and rather “become” leaders who uphold their election promises. We are living in tough and dangerous times. The only option should be to look, plan and act forward. Instead, so far the DA has made generalized statements without substance. They did so for the elections and the Municipal Manager catastrophe which will land up costing taxpayers near a million rand. Now, they’re doing it again by not … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Knysna Tourism Reality Check!

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Knysna tourism is in crisis. The FIFA World Cup 2010 did not deliver. The Recession is deepening with no signs of ending. Occupancy rate for Knysna is 30% but that may be much lower if the owners of holiday homes were included in that figure i.e. there is a difference, as Reggie Smit (Head of Corporate Services at Knysna Municipality) pointed out, between being a tourist town and a holiday town. One of Knysna’s main source of incomes was holiday infrastructure such as Thesen Island and duplexes around town. Now, … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!