Official suspended for newspaper letter
2013-02-19 12:19
Cape Town - Agriculture, forestry and fisheries spokesperson Lionel Adendorf
has been suspended after he wrote a letter to a newspaper criticising a
political figure, it was reported on Tuesday.
Deputy director general for fisheries, Greta Apelgren-Narkadien, told the
Cape Times Adendorf was suspended on Friday after the letter was published in
the newspaper on Thursday.
In the letter, Adendorf described provincial ANC leader Marius Fransman's
behaviour at murder victim Anene Boosyen's memorial service as
"inappropriate and disrespectful".
'Attack'
Fransman, also the deputy international relations minister, apparently
launched an attack on social development MEC Albert Fritz and safety MEC Dan
Plato at the service.
Apelgren-Narkadien said Adendorf "attacked" Fransman but did not
declare it was his personal opinion.
"Our employees have the right to speak to the media but they must say
that this is their own opinion. I don't think he did that."
She denied receiving political pressure to act from Fransman or the
department minister, Tina Joemat-Pettersson.
According to the report, Adendorf's letter was not signed as the spokesperson
but in his private capacity, Lionel R Adendorf, Bonnievale.
He would be suspended for 60 days for a disciplinary hearing.
Adendorf declined to comment to the newspaper.
- SAPA
