OVERBERG – The controversial suspended municipal manager of Theewaterskloof Municipality will reportedly be reinstated on Monday 13 October, following a decision taken at a special in-committee council meeting on Thursday 9 October.
The news has been met with concern from officials, councillors and residents, as rumours that Wilfred Solomons-Johannes will be back in the post are doing the rounds. This follows plenty of controversy surrounding Solomons-Johannes the last couple of years.
Troubled appointment
He was appointed TWK’s municipal manager in August 2023, after he had been acting in the role since that April. The decision to permanently appointment Solomons-Johannes was taken during a full-council sitting on 27 July 2023. At the time, there were also rumours that Solomons-Johannes did not have the appropriate qualifications required for the position.
On 3 April 2023, a special council in-committee meeting was held reveal the outcome of an investigation report into an allegation of misconduct levelled against Solomons-Johannes. The investigation was commissioned following questions around his appointment and the matter has also been before the courts.
But it was a report alleging further misconduct that raised the eyebrows, when it was served before council in January this year. Due to the seriousness of the allegation, the council appointed an independent investigator to investigate the misconduct claims.
The allegations levelled against Solomons-Johannes reportedly transpired from 17 May 2024 and 30 May 2024 (“TWK in dire straits”, Hermanus Times, 9 April 2025).
Serious allegations
In the most recent special council in-committee meeting on 9 October, the findings of the investigation was submitted to council. These allegations include, among others, purported abuse of authority, financial misconduct and perjury.
According to the meeting’s agenda, the investigator’s report acknowledges that Solomons-Johannes acted bona fide accordance with his legal and fiduciary duties to protect the interests of the municipality. The agenda also stated that any conclusions regarding the employment of Solomons-Johannes or allegations such as perjury, remain subject to judicial determination.
‘Instable’ Municipality
During the meeting, the DA’s coalition partner, GOOD, had allegedly sided with the ANC, which is apparently why Solomons-Johannes is back in his seat.
According to John Michels, NCC leader in the Theewaterskloof Municipality and former deputy mayor, the situation in TWK points to the municipality facing absolute political and administrative instability. “[The DA’s] coalition partner turned their backs on them and voted with the ANC to bring this official back – that speaks to the instability that we find ourselves in,” he said.
“Service delivery is suffering and close to R2 million has already been spent in legal costs against this official, yet he [will be] back in his position”
On enquiry, Solomons-Johannes responded via WhatsApp. “I will give comment through my lawyers when I receive an official letter. Notwithstanding whether I receive the letter or not, I am reporting for duty on Monday. TWK must disclose their unlawful and malicious action driven by a propaganda and campaign in their media statement. There will be consequences, and they will pay for what they have done to me; to destroy my name, reputation and career with costs.”
When Hermanus Times reached out to TWK for comment, acting municipal manager Walter Hendricks said: “The administration will not discuss any human resources matter in the media.”
