Councillor faces office eviction… again
A STELLENBOSCH Municipality councillor is once again being threatened with eviction from his office by the council, which maintains that as a proportional representation councillor he is not entitled to office space.
Democratic New Civic Association councillor Franklin Adams, who in November last year went to court to overturn a previous eviction, received a letter on Monday from Rufus Dercksen Attorneys acting on behalf of the municipality.
The letter reads in part: “Our client instructs us that you are in unlawful occupation of the client’s premises at the Stellenbosch Municipality’s law enforcement offices, Hoffman Street, Stellenbosch, such permission as you may previously have had to occupy the offices having been withdrawn many months ago.
“Whatever right you may have previously had, has been and once again, is hereby terminated.”
Adams has been given a February 10 deadline to vacate as the municipality “requires the premise for its own use”; and to ensure that all personal belongings are removed as the municipality will be changing the locks.
When he was evicted from the offices the last time, municipal communications officer Mart-Marie Haasbroek said: “Council never approved an office space for Adams.
“He was given proper notice to vacate the office and when he failed to adhere to the notice was banned from the space.”
About the latest eviction attempt, Adams said: “This is just a continuation of their dirty tricks to intimidate and victimise me as I expose their maladministration and corrupt practices.”