Stellenbosch Municipality HR Manager resigns amid racial hiring controversy

Political parties are fuming that Stellenbosch Municipality’s Human Resource Manager Alexander Kannemeyer has resigned, avoiding suspension and accountability for his actions after a leaked video implied they should stop appointing white males and “get rid” of those already employed.

 Willie Aucamp, DA national spokesperson confirmed the resignation.

“Mr. Alexander Kannemeyer has, during the last week, resigned from his position as an acting Section 56 Manager,” he explained.

“He, therefore, side-stepped the Stellenbosch Municipal Council's attempt to legally suspend him by making it impossible for them to do so. In terms of the Structures Act, a Municipal Council can only suspend someone who is a Section 56 manager or who officially acts as a Section 56 manager. 

“The DA expects that this matter be investigated as per our motion that was approved by the council. 

“The DA also requests that the Municipal Manager, who, in terms of the Structures Act, is now (after Kannemeyer's resignation as an acting Section 56 Manager) the only person that can suspend Mr. Kannemeyer, to do so immediately because of the risk that he could influence the investigation in his current position.”

Stellenbosch Municipality has yet to respond to queries about the resignation and Kannemeyer escaping suspension.

Newly appointed Executive Mayor of Stellenbosch Municipality, Jeremy Fasser said he was committed to providing the appropriate action against Kannemeyer and that investigations were under way after the 2023 video surfaced earlier this month. 

Political parties state the former HR manager called for accountability through an independent investigation.

Robin Hendrikse ,GOOD Stellenbosch Municipality Councillor said Kannemeyer should not be spared from facing the music.

“Alexander Kannemeyer, a senior official in the Stellenbosch Municipality, has now resigned from his position as Acting Director of Corporate Services. This follows public outrage over a leaked video in which he appears to advocate for racial exclusion and the purging of municipal hiring practices," she added.

“His resignation may spare him a formal suspension, but it cannot and must not be allowed to spare him accountability.

“This is not accountability. It is political damage control. We demand an independent, external investigation, into both the content of the video and the internal handling of the matter by municipal officials and councillors; a full public account of what was discussed and decided in the confidential “in-committee” sessions regarding Mr Kannemeyer’s conduct and transparent communication on what further disciplinary or legal steps, if any, will be taken, and what safeguards are being introduced to prevent similar abuses in future.”

The same was echoed by JC MacFarlane, Freedom Front Plus (VF) councillor: Stellenbosch Local Municipality.

 “The Freedom Front Plus finds it shocking and unacceptable that the Municipality, given the serious allegations against Mr Kannemeyer as well as the available evidence and testimony from people who have come forward, did not summarily suspend him pending the investigation,” MacFarlane said.

In a bid of support for Kannemeyer, Grant Pascoe, a former City Mayco member and concerned residents earlier said Alexander was being attacked for what was the truth and that the comments were not racist  “His comments were not racist. 

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