Convicted town boss suspended by council

GRAAFF-Reinet municipal manager Noel Pietersen was suspended by the council this week after being found guilty in court of wasteful expenditure to the tune of R2-million.

He was convicted on five counts of contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act.

The charges stem from his term as municipal manager of Oudtshoorn Municipality in 2013.

Pietersen, who has been leading the newly constituted Dr Beyers Naude Municipality – Graaff-Reinet, Willowmore and Jansenville – was found guilty last month.

Beyers Naude mayor Deon de Vos said because Pietersen had been found guilty in a court of law his suspension was immediate. The council took the decision on Tuesday.

De Vos said an investigation was under way to determine Pietersen’s future with the municipality.

“We have appointed an investigator. Based on the outcome of that, we will make a decision.

“Pietersen’s contract was conditional in that should he be found guilty of his pending court cases, his [contract] would be terminated,” De Vos said.

The mayor said the council wanted to follow proper procedure.

Meanwhile, DA MPL Vicky Knoetze, constituency leader in the Beyers Naude region, said the DA wanted the council to set clear parameters for Pietersen’s suspension.

She said the municipality needed a full-time municipal manager focused on service delivery, not defending himself in court cases on municipal time. Sentencing has been set for March 31. Pietersen declined to comment, saying he would prepare a formal statement.

“I must first get legal advice,” Pietersen said.