H-e-e-e-e-r-e’s Johnny! – again
Whatever you may think of Johnny Douglas, his resilience cannot be disputed. Just when you think he’s sunk back into obscurity, he pops out as he did this week, with ratepayers’ association snapping at his heels.
In another twist to the tumultuous municipal drama of late, Johnny Douglas was cast into the position of acting municipal manager (MM) this week to fill the void left by Kam Chetty the week before. It is not his first time in that position or one of fully fledged MM in various municipalities.
He served as MM during former mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies’ tenure as ANC mayor in Knysna but was asked to leave by the DA in 2011 before the end of his contract (receiving more than R1-million for the six weeks that he remained in office before his untimely departure). In 2016 he was appointed by the DA as acting municipal manager following the suspension of Grant Easton.
Douglas was seconded to Bitou in January this year by Western Cape minister of local government Anton Bredell after municipal manager Thabo Ndlovu was placed on precautionary suspension following a forensic investigation into maladministration and misconduct by senior officials. Douglas was set to be in the position for at least three months, but Bitou mayor Peter Lobese and his ANC coalition partners voted against the extension of Douglas’ contract in April this year.
The response to Douglas’ appointment to the Knysna council was mixed. While many members from the various political factions in the municipal caucus were jubilant about the move, committee members of the Knysna Ratepayers’ Association (KRA) soon after the announcement stated they will press charges against Douglas before he can settle down comfortably in his temporary position.
One member, Susan Campbell, said she has documents that prove prima facie negligence (and unlawful conduct) on the part of Douglas and another high-ranking municipal official in the Senza debacle (see box on page 2) that cost the municipality millions of rands. “If proven, it could amount to a financial crime,” Campbell said.
The resolution to appoint Douglas was a unanimous decision (save for one abstention by councillor Peter Myers who stated that his conscience would not allow him to support the resolution). A former employee of the DA-run Knysna council under Bouw-Spies, Douglas was ironically nominated by a majority of ANC caucus members at the special council meeting on Tuesday.
Asked why the ANC-caucus is now allowing him back into the Knysna municipal fold after his contract was not extended in Plettenberg Bay, ANC councillor Victor Molosi was adamant that the situation between the two towns could not be compared.
Questioned why, after having been directly instrumental in deposing Bouw Spies last month, the ANC is now prepared to accept her former right-hand man with such enthusiasm, Molosi replied that Douglas is the best man for the job. “In his capacity as MM he has to take his instructions from council under leadership of the mayor. So obviously they have to get along no matter their sentiments or allegiances.”
In terms of the Senza-saga, Molosi stated that the allegations against Douglas are mere speculation and that according to him an MM has no authority in terms of procurement.”
Campbell disagrees: “The MM as accounting officer is responsible for implementing the supply chain policy of the municipality. One of the charges the ratepayers will press against Douglas specifically relates to his failure to implement the policy, which is a criminal offence in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act,” she said.
Current mayor of Knysna, Mark Willemse endorses the appointment of Douglas. “It is for a period of three months, and it is important for continuity at the municipality. Douglas has experience and we believe he can implement the smooth running of the various departments in the short time that he is going to be here,” he stated. Douglas himself refused to comment on his appointment and the allegations by the KRA. “Until I get my appointment in writing and start working at the municipality in August (at the official end of Chetty’s contract) I cannot comment,” he said.
According to ratepayer association committee member Susan Campbell, the approximately R4-million loss (excluding interest) suffered by the Knysna Municipality as a result of unpaid debt accrued by Senza (formerly Paquitas/Cornuti) Restaurant could have been avoided and might be due to negligence on the part of high-ranking municipal officials including Douglas.
According to Campbell, the documents indicate how the then municipal manager (MM) Johnny Douglas, and a municipal colleague before him, agreed to the cession (the transfer of rights) of lease agreements without following procedures stipulated in the contract, without the consent of council and in contravention of relevant procurement legislation.
“Had Douglas and Smit followed proper procurement processes and ensured that the directors sign suretyships, this may not have happened,” she added. “That is public money lost.”
The municipality has thus far not responded to several requests to furnish details of the legal costs involved in the issue.
The premises in question (by then called Senza) were vacated in April 2017 and the site, one of Knysna’s prime restaurant spots, remains vacant and is fast becoming derelict.