GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - With the former Speaker of the Garden Route District Council, Eleanore Bouw-Spies, off to parliament, an Acting Speaker was appointed at the last council meeting on 28 May.
Barney Groenewald, a DA councillor from Mossel Bay, will take the reins until a permanent appointment in the office of the Speaker is made.
The ANC was much opposed to the appointment of an acting speaker, saying it creates political instability in Council.
Municipal Manager Monde Stratu said it is Council's decision whether they want to elect an Acting Speaker or a Speaker.
In a press release on the matter, ANC Chief Whip Piet van der Hoven said the DA is determined to turn the good work by the district council into a political playground for its narrow internal squabbles.
"It's not the first time this occurs. After the election of Cllr Mark Willemse as the Executive Mayor for Knysna, the DA was required to fill the position but resorted to appoint Cllr Barney Groenewald as Acting Speaker for six months. Again on Tuesday 28 May, the DA could not elect a Speaker."
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Karoo, Hessqua news'
