The Overstrand Municipal Manager, Dr Dean O’Neill, has been seconded to Acting Municipal Manager in George for three months following the termination of its previous manager’s contract.
The George council requested O’Neill’s services for a three-month period, with the secondment approved by the Overstrand Municipal Council at a special meeting on 29 July. The secondment has an option to be extended for three more months if required.
Council also approved the appointment of Edward Jantjies as Overstrand’s Acting Municipal Manager in O’Neill’s absence. Overstrand Executive Mayor Archie Klaas said measures had been put in place not to interrupt any operations while O’Neill fulfilled his acting responsibilities in George.
The secondment means O’Neill will temporarily work for George Municipality but remain employed by the Overstrand.
Executive Mayor of George Browen Johnson welcomed O’Neill to the municipality and shared his high expectations of O’Neill’s contributions to the municipality’s administrative stability and continuity in this period.
“On behalf of the George Municipality I welcome Dr O’Neill to our municipality and the City of George,” he said. “We look forward to working alongside [him] to ensure continuity and stability, all while benefiting from his extensive experience in local government and his leadership during this period.”
Meanwhile, O’Neill said he looked forward to working with the municipality’s leadership, management and staff.
“Every individual’s contibution, no matter how small it may seem, is important,” he said, also stressing the importance of teamwork in achieving common goals. “Every individual’s contribution, no matter how small it may seem, is important.”
O’Neill said he believes in focusing on the positive things that bring the community together and building on those strengths.
Edward Jantjies
Meanwhile, Jantjies will temporarily fill his place in the Overstrand. Having 31 years of accumulated experience, which includes serving in various management positions, stands him in excellent stead, said Mayor Klaas, who welcomed him into the temporary role. He said he and the Overstrand Municipal Council were confident his experience and expertise will help ensure good governance and continuity.
A prominent figure
O’Neill has become a prominent figure in the administration of Overberg local government, particularly for his role in maintaining consecutive clean audits for Overstrand Municipality from the Auditor-General.
“In June 2026 he coordinated the Overstrand Municipality’s Incident Command Centre response in Kleinmond, Gansbaai and Stanford,” said Klaas in a statement released earlier this year, “providing temporary safety facilities and reminders on immigration laws during civil tensions. “In April 2024 local media celebrated him earning his PhD in Public Administration from the University of the Western Cape.”
His temporary move to George comes just weeks after the Director of Public Prosecutions declined to prosecute him and other local leaders following a nearly two-year Hawks investigation. They were accused of making alleged irregular tender awards related to the De Mond Caravan Park and Fisherhaven Lagoon projects.
Hermanus Times reported on this decision, which cleared them of criminal prosecutions in the matter.
