The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) calls on Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, to urgently approach the High Court with an application to review and set aside the Knysna municipal Council’s unlawful decision to extend Mr Boy Manqoba Ngubo’s appointment as acting Municipal Manager.
Mr Ngubo was initially appointed as acting Municipal Manager on 30 April 2026 for a period of three months or until the matter of the permanent Municipal Manager’s suspension, Mr Lulamile Mapholoba, has been finalised.
Mapholoba was suspended in February 2026 in connection with a security tender.
On 14 July 2026, the Knysna municipal Council decided to extend Ngubo’s acting appointment by a further three months and sought Minister Bredell’s approval, as required in terms of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act.
In response, Minister Bredell requested additional information from the Municipality concerning, among other things, the status of criminal proceedings involving Mr Ngubo. The Minister specifically pointed out Ngubo’s previous term at the Bitou Municipality, where he was suspended and resigned before disciplinary steps were finalised. The matter is currently under investigation by The Hawks.
Despite the Municipality’s own legal advisors informing the Council that Mr Ngubo’s acting appointment cannot lawfully be extended without the required approval of Minister Bredell, ANC councillors, with the exception of Cllr Aubrey Tsengwa, as well as the EFF, PA and PBI voted in favour of the extension.
They also decided that the Municipality should defend any subsequent legal challenge to the decision.
On 11 August 2026, Minister Bredell afforded the Council an opportunity to rectify its unlawful decision by demanding that the decision be revoked by 17:00 that same day, adding that should the Council fail to do so, legal steps would be instituted.
Instead of using this opportunity to remedy the situation, the councillors responsible for the decision chose to double down.
Consequently, the Freedom Front Plus calls on Minister Bredell to immediately institute the appropriate legal steps in the High Court to review and set aside the unlawful decision.
The Minister is also encouraged to request the Court to hold the councillors who, despite warnings that their conduct is unlawful, wilfully voted in favour of the decision personally liable for the legal costs arising from the litigation.
Knysna’s taxpayers should not have to bear the financial burden of litigation brought about by councillors who dismissed sound legal advice and chose to prioritise political interests above the law.
The Freedom Front Plus will keep exposing corruption, incompetence, maladministration and unlawful conduct at the Knysna Municipality.
Holding a political office does not mean a councillor is above the law. It is time for the rule of law and justice to prevail in Knysna.
