Storm after DA council spokesperson stands for election

OPPOSITION parties in Mossel Bay have accused the municipality’s spokesperson Nickey le Roux of misusing her position to unfairly benefit the DA after it emerged she will be standing as a DA candidate in the local government elections.

“Ms Nickey le Roux is an employee of the Mossel Bay municipality and yet is also standing as a DA candidate in the local elections. This is prohibited by the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000. According to part 11 of Schedule 1, a staff member of a municipality may not participate in an election of the council of the municipality, other than in an official capacity.

“Ms Le Roux is still employed by the MBM.

“This is not unknown by the DA political head, Jaco Londt or any of the DA leaders in Mossel Bay.

“It is simply a manifestation of their arrogant disregard for law and matters of principle,” said ACDP Mossel Bay councillor Jeanette Gouws.

Gouws has written to the acting municipal manager and the Speaker of the Council to demand that Le Roux be immediately suspended.

While Le Roux refused to comment, the municipality’s Director Corporate Services, Edward Jantjies said Le Roux had been on official sick leave since August 11, and she would, like any other professional, and in conjunction with her employer apply for leave directly after the IEC certification of candidates to participate in the campaign, as is required of her.

He said should she be elected, she would be deemed to have resigned with immediate effect from the day immediately before the date on which she assumed office.

“In what seems to be a hurried attempt at political opportunism, the ACDP, in their press statement, gives the impression despite having been a member of the municipal Council over the last term, not to have grasped the clear and distinct delineation between the political leadership of a Municipal Council versus the a-political administrative substructure of a municipality,” he said.

Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa (Icosa) provincial leader Dawid Kamfer called for Le Roux to immediately resign because of conflict of interest.

“We also demand an immediate and transparent investigation into the recruitment and employment process of this individual, as there is a strong suspicion that it could also be irregular.”

The municipality denied allegations of impropriety in appointing her, saying: “Ms Le Roux applied for a position that was duly advertised in the media for the position and was shortlisted along with several other candidates.”