Senior Municipal officials appointed in acting capacity

OUDTSHOORN NEWS - During a council meeting on Monday 8 February, the council considered the appointment of three senior officials in an acting capacity.

Reginald Smit, the director of Corporate Services, was considered as the acting municipal manager until the completion of the process to appoint a permanent municipal manager following the resignation of Allen Paulse last year.

"Mr Smit will focus on the duties of municipal manager while Mr Deon Visagie will act as the director for Corporate Services until the completion of the vacant municipal manager position," said Executive Mayor, Chris Macpherson.

Council has also extended the appointment of Louis Fourie as chief financial officer (CFO) until 28 February 2021. The Municipal CFO, Gerald de Jager who is currently on sick leave will resume his duties on 1 March 2021.

Murray-Wayne Konnie is acting as the director for Community Services, while Thomas Matthee is on sick leave.

In a press release received from Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe, communications officer of Oudtshoorn Municipality, he says " Council continues with the recruitment process for a director for technical services.

This position became vacant after the resignation of Mr Chris Koch in 2019. This position was advertised on 8 November 2020.

The shortlisting process commenced on 2 February 2021. The interviews have been scheduled to take place this week. The appointment of the director for technical services is envisaged to take place on 1 April 2021."

He added that Council also appointed a selection panel that will coordinate and oversee the appointment process.

The acting municipal manager, Mr Smit is heading the panel consisting of the chairperson of the technical services portfolio, Cllr Vlancio Donson, Cllr. Nondumiso Magopeni, Cllr. Jerome Lambaatjeen and an expert and highly experienced person who is not a councillor or official of the Oudtshoorn Municipality, Mr John Daniels.

Reginald Smit, Acting Municipal Manager. Photos supplied