Brettenwood Coastal Estate has vehemently denied allegations of impropriety against its management made by the estate’s former security manager*.

These accusations surfaced in an article published by the Daily News on April 2, titled “Lid lifted on ‘rot’ in luxury estate”.

The article has drawn sharp criticism from the Brettenwood Coastal Estate Homeowners’ Association (BHOA), which claims it contains numerous inaccuracies and is defamatory.

According to the association’s legal representatives, the estate’s former security manager is facing charges of the rape of a security guard employed by a service provider of the estate, extortion of subordinates and failure to disclose gifts of money as per the employment policy, and now has an axe to grind over his dismissal.

These alleged crimes formed the basis of the man’s dismissal from his post on February 15. They claim that the 37-year-old pleaded guilty to most allegations. Cases have since been opened with Saps.
The disciplinary enquiry was chaired by an independent chairperson who is a practising attorney specialising in employment law.

Contrary to the allegations contained in the article, the former employee was not refused the right to representation in the disciplinary hearing but rather “was unrepresented as he did not trust any colleague to assist him.”

He did not apply for external legal representation.

The former security manager’s claim in the Daily News that he was dismissed for being a ‘whistle-blower’ was rubbished by his former employer.

The ‘whistle-blower’ claim centred around access control, whereby he claimed that he was dismissed because he had notified his superiors that access control had been compromised: “At the estate, the risk is that there is no absolute control on access. Any photo downloaded from social media can be used to access our estate and potentially other estates that use the same service provider and software.”

BHOA said the former security manager was well aware that this is not the case and that an isolated incident caused by the security cameras having the wrong setting (to scan 2D images as apposed to 3D) was quickly rectified. This was due to the cameras being reinstalled after an electrical storm in January.

BHOA asserts that his referral to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) makes no mention of whistle-blowing. They argue that his intentions are malicious, as evidenced by communications where he allegedly expresses a desire to tarnish the reputation of the estate and its service providers.

In response to the allegations, the BHOA has demanded a retraction of the article or a follow-up article reflecting the true state of affairs. They also warn of potential legal action against the former employee for defamation.

The Courier contacted the former employee who said he stood by his claims and had since opened a case of criminal injuria against the estate manager.

He was however not able to provide evidence for his claims.

*The accused cannot be named until he has pleaded due to the sexual nature of the charges against him. He is due back in court on April 26.

Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.

Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.