Tiptoeing or on their toes?
Former George traffic chief, Donovan Saptoe, says he is eager to get his arbitration case behind him following its postponement on Friday 16 July, but according to the municipality, Saptoe is the one causing the delays. A new date for the case is yet to be set.
According to Saptoe the commissioner asked the municipality to present its case, but the municipal representative said its witness was unavailable. Saptoe says the legal costs incurred by the municipality to pay for a lawyer and senior advocate could have been avoided. “It’s also unfair towards me. I was ready and want to conclude the matter.”
Not true
But, municipal spokesperson Chantel Edwards-Klose says Saptoe’s version of events is incorrect.
“In correction of the statement made by the defendant, the postponement was brought about by the defendant and his representative’s failure to attend to the matter for three months, and serving a considerable volume of additional paperwork the day before, forcing the municipality to request the postponement. Also please note the additional costs will stand over to be adjudicated by the commissioner at the end of the proceedings.”
The case involves Saptoe’s dismissal as traffic chief on 1 December 2020 after a paid suspension of nearly 14 months. He then lodged a dispute with the South African Local Government Bargaining Council. Edwards-Klose says policy dictates that no comment be provided on the details of staff matters related to disciplinary procedures.
Saptoe guilty on 3 charges
Charge one related to gross dereliction of duty. Saptoe failed to attend a number of meetings he was responsible to attend in his official capacity.
Charge two related to gross insubordination. Saptoe disobeyed lawful instructions from Steven Erasmus (Director of Community Safety) and showed him disrespect.
Charge three related to an affidavit that Saptoe filed with the police in his official capacity. He made allegations of fraudulent activities regarding a taxi permit without informing his employer, the George Municipality.