Ratepayers in CX Country join forces to compare notes
Bitou and Knysna residents, who have become disgruntled with issues within local municipalities are joining forces in an attempt to ‘returning good governance’ – YOLANDE STANDER reports
Plettenberg Bay Ratepayers Association’s Debi Nicholson said due to the “uncertain state of governance” in municipalities along the Garden Route, local ratepayers’ associations had found themselves “forced into taking a more active role in returning good governance to our municipalities”.
“One way or another, the towns are faced with similar, if not identical, issues and have decided to form an informal affiliation of ratepayers’ associations (RPAs) and homeowners associations (HOAs) to open channels of communication in order to share experiences, knowledge, and solutions.
“This will allow the associations to present a united front when having to deal with government at provincial and national levels,” Nicholson said.
The groups that have formed this alliance include the Plettenberg Bay and Knysna RPAs, Keurbooms Property Owners Association, Nature’s Valley RPA, Belvidere and Leisure Isle homeowners associations, Buffalo Bay and Sedgefield RPAs, and The Crags Residents Association.
“All nine associations are affiliated in the Garden Route and other RPAs and HOAs are welcome to join.”
With regards to the concerns of the various associations, Nicholson said they have had one meeting attended by a representative from each association to discuss the alliance in principle.
“Now that we all agree with unifying our voice, the next meeting will discuss issues of concern to all our members. It could be issues of provincial oversight and accountability, or better cost controls.”
One of the issues the Plett Ratepayers Association has been fighting is what they have dubbed the “unlawful appointment” of Bitou’s municipal manager.
Lonwabo Ngoqo was saved from being expelled from office after a recent court application to have him ousted had failed.
This comes after a labour court finding on August 13 last year that Ngoqo’s appointment in February 2019 was unlawful – this after he was dismissed in 2012 over financial misconduct. The municipality has since appealed the decision.
Plett RPA’s vice-chair Peter Gaylard wrote in an open letter recently that the contract of employment under which Ngoqo had been appointed was unlawful and therefore void. “This fact has been recognised by the judgment on August 13. The fact that the labour court declined to enforce the judgment has no effect on the status of the employment contract – it was void at commencement and remains so,” Gaylard wrote.
As a result, he added, Ngoqo has held office illegally and whatever he has done in this capacity is unauthorised and open to attack.
Gaylard said the Bitou council, knowing this fact, has not taken any action to remove Ngoqo from office.
“In remaining supine, councillors expose themselves to liability for losses by the municipality suffered as a result of the illegal tenure. They have a duty to act conscientiously in the best
interests of Bitou residents, and by permitting Ngoqo to remain in office and recompensing him accordingly, they breach the duty in question.”
• Please email debiknicholson@msn.com with enquiries regarding the alliance of ratepayers associations in Knysna and Plett.