Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
Question by:
Hon Cameron Dugmore
Answered by:
Hon Anton Bredell
Question Number:
24
Question Body:
Whether the Oudtshoorn Municipality is contravening any local government legislation or municipal ordinances by employing both a chief financial officer, whose name has been furnished to his Department for the purpose of his reply, as well as an acting chief financial officer, whose name has been furnished to his Department for the purpose of his reply; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) what are the total amounts that have been paid to each of these officials by the Oudtshoorn Municipality since the date of their employment?
Answer Body:
- I am of the view that the Municipality has not contravened any applicable laws and that its decisions in respect of the required acting arrangements were informed by the need to ensure administrative and financial stability at the Municipality.
- The first person, who was appointed at the Municipality as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on 1 March 2020, was appointed as the acting Municipal Manager from 9 August 2020 until 9 February 2021, and therefore, the second person was at the same time appointed as acting CFO until 9 February 2021. The Council decisions on these acting arrangements were taken on the basis that, for proper financial management, governance and transparency, the first person would not execute the functions of both CFO and acting Municipal Manager at the same time. Furthermore, for the Municipality to be eligible for consideration of the approval of roll-over grant funding, it was a required to have both a Municipal Manager and CFO. The employment contract of the second person s acting CFO was due to come to an end on 9 February 2021, but was extended until 28 February 2021, as a result the first person was hospitalised from 2 January 2021. On 28 February 2021, the Municipal Council resolved to further extend the second person’s appointment as acting CFO until 31 March 2021, as it was uncertain as to whether the first person would recover from his illness and resume his duties as CFO again. The first person has since returned to work on 9 March 2021.
- According to the Municipality, the first person’s total remuneration for the period 1 August 2020 to 31 March 2021, amounts to R 822 560,16. The second person’s total remuneration for the period 11 August 2020 to 31 March 2021, amounts to R766 845,76.
Date:
Friday, March 19, 2021
