Oudtshoorn, 11 May 2016 – The Oudtshoorn Municipality has on Wednesday, 11 May 2016, registered a criminal case with the South African Police Service after a burglary was discovered in the offices of the acting Municipal Manager, Mr. Allen Paulse and the Administrator, Mr. Kam Chetty.
A damaged door handle and door linking the offices of the Acting Municipal manager and Administrator was discovered on Tuesday, 10 May by the newly acting Director for Community Services, Mr. Thomas Matthee. The burglary suggests that the intruders have gained access to the Municipal Manager’s Office, and tried to break the door to the Administrator’s Office. No forced entry was found on the two doors giving access to the acting Municipal Manager’s office, which suggests that the intruder may have had keys not only to the two doors but the security gate as well.
The Administrator is outraged at the incident, including the ability of intruders to gain access to the Municipal Managers Office. “This is a serious violation of the municipality’s policies as well as the laws of the country,” Chetty said. A possibility that the suspect(s) may be looking for documentation thought to be in the Administrator’s, or Acting Municipal Manager’s office cannot be ruled out as no valuable items have been found missing. Mr. Matthee has on the instruction of the acting Municipal Manager registered a criminal case with the Oudtshoorn Police on Wednesday morning, (11 May 2016).
“This incident poses a severe threat to the ongoing turnaround of the Municipality and the progress of this town. It is a known fact that the offices of the Administrator and the Municipal Manager are handling very sensitive issues and confidential documents pertaining to the intervention into the Oudtshoorn Municipality that among others include: forensic investigations reports, internal municipal investigations and Cango Caves restructuring, etc.”
To ensure the ongoing integrity of the Administration, the Management has subsequently intensified security in the Municipal building. Activities include: changing locks, securing the entrance to the municipality, and bolstering security for the Administrator and the acting Municipal Manager offices. For security reasons, no further specific details will be provided.
“We are appealing to the community of the Greater Oudtshoorn, and the staff of the Municipality to assist the Police’s ongoing investigation by providing any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect(s). Anyone with information can quote CAS297/6/2016,” Chetty concluded.