Jeffrey Donson, Peter-George Rooi, Keith Jordaan, and Werner Meshoa. (Photo: supplied)
- The embattled municipality of Kannaland has terminated the contract of its municipal manager.
- He’s hired a defendant for fraud as a surrogate.
- Keith Jordaan’s contract was terminated during a council session on Thursday afternoon.
The embattled municipality of Kannaland terminated the contract of its municipal manager a week before it was due to expire, and in a surprising move, appointed a man accused of fraud to serve in the position.
News24 understands that Keith Jordaan’s contract was terminated during a council session on Thursday afternoon.
Hendrik Barnard was appointed to the position in an interim capacity during the same session.
Jordaan was appointed to the position in October last year after child molester Jeffery Donson regained his seat as mayor after several no-confidence motions were filed in the previous leadership.
Donson’s party, the Independent Civic Organization of South Africa, tabled a motion of no confidence in the then leadership at a special council sitting in Calitzdorp.
He and party members also filed motions on the mayor, deputy mayor and city manager.
READ | Kannaland’s interim city manager may not be permanently employed due to previous layoff, Bredell warns
The new leadership trio consisted of Donson, Jordaan as city manager, and Werner Meshoa regained his position as deputy mayor.
However, Jordaan was appointed on a three-month contract.
Western Cape local government MEC Anton Bredell said Jordaan would not be able to be permanently employed in a local government position for at least 10 years after he was sacked for mismanagement in 2019.
Jordaan’s appointment has been mired in controversy after he was sacked for mismanagement and a nearly 300 million rand investment with Old Mutual when he was George Township’s chief financial officer.
In a statement Jordaan issued after his contract was terminated, he said he left Kannaland in a better place than when the council appointed him.
“Stabilization, after the inevitable damage from major political shenanigans since November 1, 2021, was my priority. And stability was achieved.
“Compliance is critical to municipal management, and compliance is where I leave Kannaland. Good governance is easy to achieve. It happens in a moment. You choose to be great and it’s done,” he added.
READ | Kannaland’s disgraced mayor vows to ‘turn things around’ as Parliament learns of the challenges facing the city
Barnard is among four senior officials who are alleged to have defrauded the Kannaland municipality of more than R338 million.
He was the director of corporate services at the time of the alleged fraud.
Barnard was arrested by the Hawks in 2021.
Donson told News24: “The city manager’s contract ends next week, and there was a council meeting scheduled just after his contract expired. That’s why we appointed Barnard until the position is filled.”
