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The Kouga Municipality says it will oppose a court application by the Democratic Alliance challenging the recent appointment of new directors to the municipality.
The DA filed papers in the Port Elizabeth High Court claiming that the appointment of the five directors was unlawful and procedurally incorrect.
DA leader in the National Council of Province, Elza van Lingen, says they want the appointments to be set aside and the process started afresh.
"In the DA's founding affidavit which was lodged on 1 August 2012, the entire procedure of the appointments was questioned in terms of compliance with the various local government acts, regulations and circulars by the national Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and the provincial Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs (DLGTA)," said Van Lingen.
Kouga municipal manager, Sydney Fadi, said on Monday that the municipality's basis for opposing the DA application is contained in its founding affidavit to the court.
Fadi also rejected the DA claim that the new directors were deployed cadres.
"We vehemently reject the claim that the municipality's new directors are deployed "cadres". None of the appointees are members of the ANC," he said.
"We also vehemently reject the claim that we blame the MEC for any alleged wrongdoing. Kouga does not, and has never had, any reason to blame the MEC for anything. We have always been very satisfied with the manner in which he deals with conflicts and challenges at local government level. We are confident that we will also not be disappointed with his handling of this matter."
Fadi says "as legal proceedings are underway, we consider all further information relating to the case to be sub judice and will respond further when asked to do so by the court, which would be the appropriate platform at this stage."
