It is absolutely shocking that Mr Alexander Kannemeyer is still holding the office of Senior Human Resources Manager at the Stellenbosch Municipality after a video surfaced a few weeks ago in which he allegedly calls for white employees to be driven out of the Municipality.
In the leaked video, a man, allegedly Kannemeyer, is heard saying that white employees should be removed to meet transformation targets.
He reportedly suggests that “life should be made difficult” for white workers to force them to resign and that people of colour should be appointed even though they may be “unskilled”.
It has since come to the attention of the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) that Mr Kannemeyer has resigned, of his own accord, as acting Director of Corporate Services at the Municipality.
His resignation was prompted by immense public pressure and outcry against his actions, in addition to the need for a fair and transparent investigation into his conduct.
The Freedom Front Plus finds it shocking and unacceptable that the Municipality, given the serious allegations against Mr Kannemeyer as well as the available evidence and testimony from people who have come forward, did not summarily suspend him pending the investigation.
The party insists that the Municipal Manager, Ms Geraldine Mettler, immediately take steps to suspend Mr Kannemeyer and ensure the investigation is not hampered in any way.
The DA should practise what it preaches to the ANC government and suspend Kannemeyer pending the investigation.
The Stellenbosch Municipality’s functioning and service delivery should take precedence.
His suspension will ensure an unbiased and thorough investigation, without any undue interference, and will clearly demonstrate that accountability is a cornerstone of sound governance.
Stellenbosch residents and taxpayers deserve the assurance that the officials in their Municipality are the best people for the job.
The decay in the rest of the country bears testament to what happens when incompetent people are appointed in senior positions.
