Oudtshoorn, 9 February 2021 – The Oudtshoorn Municipal Council yesterday, 8 February 2021 considered the appointment of Mr. Reginald Smit, the director of Corporate Services, as acting municipal manager until the completion of the vacant municipal manager following the resignation of Mr. Allen Paulse, the former municipal manager for Oudtshoorn Municipality.
“We believe through these appointments the management of the Municipality will switch to a higher gear to enhance the Municipal services delivery,” said the executive mayor of the Greater Oudtshoorn, Cllr. Chris Macpherson.
“Mr. Smit will focus on the duties of municipal manager while Mr. Deon Visagie will act as director for Corporate Services until the completion of the vacant municipal manager position,” Mayor Macpherson added.
Meanwhile, Council has also extended the appointment of Mr. Louis Fourie as chief financial officer (CFO) until 28 February 2021. The Municipal CFO, Mr. Gerald de Jager who is currently on sick leave will resume his duties on 1 March 2021.
Mr. Murray-Wayne Konnie is acting as the director for Community Services, while Mr. Thomas Matthee is on sick leave.
Council continues with the recruitment process for a director for technical services. This position became vacant after the resignation of Mr. Chris Koch in 2019. The position of the director for technical Services had been advertised a few times already with unsuccessful outcomes; the latest advertisement for the filling of the post was on 8 November 2020. The shortlisting process commenced on 2 February 2021. The interviews have been scheduled to take place this week. The appointment of the director for technical services is envisaged to take place on 1 April 2021.
Council also appointed a selection panel that will coordinate and oversee the appointment process. The acting municipal manager, Mr. Smit is heading the panel consisting of the chairperson of the technical services portfolio, Cllr. Vlancio Donson, Cllr. Nondumiso Magopeni, Cllr. Jerome Lambaatjeen and an expert and highly experience person who is not a councillor or official of the Oudtshoorn Municipality, Mr. John Daniels.