Knysna Municipality versus the Public

To Mayor Georlene Wolmarans (DA), Deputy Mayor Esmé Edge (DA), Speaker & Executive Councillor Eleonor Spies (DA), Executive Councillor Ray Barrell (DA), Executive Councillor Louisa Hart (DA), Executive Councillor Irene Grootboom (DA), Councillor Michelle Wasserman (DA), Councillor Richard Dawson (DA), PR Councillor Doris Nayler (DA), , PR Councillor Beauty Tyokolo (DA), Councillor Migiel Lizwani (ANC), Councillor Wiseman Litoli (ANC), Councillor Clive Witbooi  (ANC), Councillor Mertle Gombo (ANC), PR Councillor Phumla Nkam (ANC), PR Councillor Mthobeli Dyantyi (ANC), Councillor Ntombizanele Grace Sopeki (Independent), PR Councillor Elrick van Aswegen (COPE), Acting Municipal Manager Grant Easton, Director Community Services Dawie Adonis, Director Corporate Services Bevan Ellman, Director Planning and Development Mike Maughan-Brown, Director Technical Services Rhoydon Parry and Head Disaster Management Richard Meyer

I urgently request that at today’s Mayoral Meeting the items below are added to your agenda and discussed publicly i.e. no Green Paper session that immorally shuns the People of Knysna.

I’ve already stated publicly that next month i will be laying criminal charges against all who were involved in the Knysna Tourism debacle. I will also flood Knysna Municipality with PAIA (Promotion of Access to Information) demands now that i have an advocate who can enforce such in High Court should you refuse. Are you going to further blacken our financially suffering town by using ratepayers’ and taxpayers’ money to fight legal battles just so that you can earn another salary cheque? Or will you open dialogue and, where appropriate, correct any misunderstandings, seek understanding, admit wrong, pay back money and punish those who deserve punishment?

It’s a ridiculous situation that finds the DA, ANC, COPE and Independent working against the People of Knysna. A democracy without the check and balance of real opposition has proven not to be a democracy at all but an arrogance self-serving and public-defeating.

Why is the DA Constituency and ANC structures not ensuring that the politicians they chose to run for office are held accountable? Why is the image of a political party more important than the well being of Knysna? Does any political morality remain or are we a town that has forgotten that we are all neighbours?

Why are Municipal workers dishonouring our trust in them by failing to report the deviancies of their colleagues and bosses?

There is obviously much more to discuss but these should be included on today’s agenda:

STEPHEN DE VRIES
The Knysna-Plett Herald reported that ANC Chief Whip Stephen de Vries received R28 000 from Knysna Municipality towards his studies. Apparently he has received money before this. Others have (or are) going to receive such too. Are municipal workers receiving such too?

Why was this kept secret i.e. not told to the public?

How can our cash-strapped town with its broken roads, exploding pipes and wastewater problems responsibly be giving money to politicians already earning a good salary?

What benefit does Knysna gain from sponsoring De Vries?

Where is the policy regulating study loans or bursaries to councillors and municipal staff? Does it even exist? Even if it does, payments to politicians would be illegal because the MFMA states:

Forbidden activities
164. (1) No municipality or municipal entity may—
(c) make loans to—
(i) councillors or officials of the municipality;
(ii) directors or officials of the entity; or
(iii) members of the public.
(2) If a municipality or municipal entity on the date on which this section takes effect
is engaged in any activity prohibited by subsection (1)(a) or (b) and which is otherwise 30
lawful, the municipality or entity must take all reasonable steps to rectify its position and
to comply with that subsection as soon as may be reasonable in the circumstances.

Councillors’ remuneration
167. (2) Any remuneration paid or given in cash or in kind to a person as a political
office-bearer or as a member of a political structure of a municipality otherwise than in
accordance with subsection (1), including any bonus, bursary, loan, advance or other
benefit, is an irregular expenditure, and the municipality—
(a) must, and has the right to, recover that remuneration from the political 15
office-bearer or member; and
(b) may not write off any expenditure incurred by the municipality in paying or
giving that remuneration.
(3) The MEC for local government in a province must report to the provincial
legislature—
20
(a) any transgressions of subsection (1); and
(b) any non-compliance with sections 17(3)(k)(i) and (ii) and 124(1)(a).

ISDF (INTEGRATED STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK)
This morning, you will find a summary of the ISDF report on your agenda. As this decides the future of Knysna, nothing is more important to the People of Knysna.

Firstly, the report cannot be approved because it’s only a summary! The full report needs to be absorbed and discussed with great attention.

Secondly, MEC Anton Bredell overwhelmingly agrees that much was wrong with the awarding of the tender yet illogically condones it anyway. You do not get to do the same. Before the ISDF can proceed, you are required to investigate every deviance and illegality. If you don’t, you are responsible and i promise that i will do my best to ensure that fruitless expenditure is recognised and you are made to pay it back in your personal capacities. Heads already need to roll for the illegal payment of half a million rand before the contract was signed. Will you do the rolling?

You have our future in your hands. Proceed morally and with caution.

KNYSNA TOURISM
What is the current state of Knysna Tourism’s finances? It is strongly rumoured that the publicly funded organisation has run out of money again. 3 members of the Board have quit in only one month. Something is obviously wrong which is no surprise as it has been for years on many issues you have refused to address.

The entire council and several directors, in contravention of the MFMA, illegally funded Knysna Tourism’s debt with a grant-in-aid. Similarly, the same people failed to report the illegalities that led to that situation. This is a matter requiring urgent addressing. The bulk of the charges that will be laid against you will revolve around this.

What is the official positions of the Knysna Municipality, DA, ANC, COPE and Independents regards court actions against me by Deputy Mayor Esme Edge, Councillor Richard Dawson, CEO Tourism Greg Vogt and DA Supporter Magda Moos? Do Advocate Julie Seton and Carl Jeppe Attorneys, the bulk of their legal representation, do work for the Knysna Municipality? Detail such with the amounts paid.

COMMUNICATION
Their is a disconnect between local government and the People of Knysna. There is a severe lack of understanding of many major issues. I have sought answers for 4 years yet repeatedly hit a brick wall erected by politicians and the Knysna Municipality. Why do you not believe in democracy and the spirit and laws of the Constitution?

Why are my emails banned?

Why will no one, from the Ward 10 Committee to the DA and Knysna Municipality acknowledge my queries.

More than 38 000 people viewed my challenge to a public question and answer session. The blatant refusal to acknowledge disgraces your position which was created to serve the People of Knysna.

Open communication immediately.

Again, i ask:

I’ve already stated publicly that next month i will be laying criminal charges against all who were involved in the Knysna Tourism debacle. I will also flood Knysna Municipality with PAIA (Promotion of Access to Information) demands now that i have an advocate who can enforce such in High Court should you refuse.

Are you going to further blacken our financially suffering town by using ratepayers’ and taxpayers’ money to fight legal battles just so that you can earn another salary cheque? Or will you open dialogue and, where appropriate, correct any misunderstandings, seek understanding, admit wrong, pay back money and punish those who deserve punishment?

Love Knysna, Save Knysna!

Mike Hampton