Court tells former Municipal Manager to vacate post

The Knysna Local Municipality, ruled by the ANC with the support of the EFF and PA, appointed Sebola as MM in January last year.

In a statement, the DA’s Shadow Minister of Finance, Dr D07ion George, said:

“The DA pursued legal action following Sebola’s appointment due to his lack of proper qualifications and complete unsuitability for the role.”

His tenure as the Municipal Manager for Modimolle-Mookgophong resulted in the municipality’s bankruptcy, and he fled before facing legal consequences, only to resurface in Knysna.

“Sebola’s performance in Knysna has been blatantly inadequate, exacerbating crises in water supply, finances, refuse removal, and sewage management. Furthermore, Sebola’s recent display of disrespect toward a public representative underscores his disregard for the people of Knysna.”

Sebola recently made headlines after he allegedly told a councillor “F… you”, in a special council meeting.

In his judgment on Friday 10 May, Judge Masudah Pangarkar declared his appointment “null and void”. He directed the Knysna Council to re-advertise the position. The court case followed two applications filed by the DA and by the MEC for the Western Cape Local Government, Anton Bredell, last year to declare Sebola’s appointment unlawful.

Sebola was the MM in Mookgophong and was reappointed after the two towns amalgamated in 2016. With his contract coming to an end, Sebola was embroiled in a court case regarding his reapplication for the position. The High Court in Polokwane determined in favor of Henry Lubbe, the manager of corporate services, who said that Sebola was irregularly placed on the shortlist for the position, while his name was removed from the list.

Following Sebola’s departure in 2019, he was also shortlisted for the same position in Mokopane but was not successful.