At a 'special' Council meeting on 3rd January 2011 the Municipal Manager, Mrs Juanita Fortuin was suspended by Prince Albert's Council. No reasons were given but were thought to be based on charges that were originally brought against her by the three DA councillors in February 2010 and which were vigorously opposed at the time by the ANC. 

The charges were never made public and after Ms Fortuin responded to them before a disciplinary hearing, the councillors referred the matter to SALGA for legal advice.  

SALGA’s Marguarite Froneman responded on 7 May 2010 that she could only respond to one of the charges against Fortuin, as there was no documentation in support of any of the others.  With regard to allegations of impropriety described as ‘Tender Leeu Gamka’, Froneman strongly recommended that disciplinary action be taken against the Community Services Manager, Edwin September, for knowingly and deliberately signing letters containing incorrect information about the awarding of a tender. As far as we are aware no action was taken against September, whose contract ended late last year.
 
The matter appeared to go quiet for some months. 

Ms Fortuin, has been attempting to put her best foot forward for the past two of her three-year contract. Yet, because ours is a hung council with three DA and three ANC Councillors, she has been used as a political football at every opportunity. For instance, before going on leave recently, she informed Municipal staff that the Municipality would neither fund nor host a school holiday programme during December and January.  Council ignored this and in absence went ahead with a programme anyway. Ms Fortuin had also informed staff they could not ‘cash in’ their leave but this too was overturned by Council.  

In her absence Ms Fortuin had appointed the qualified and professional Mr Heinrich Mettler to the position of Acting Municipal Manager. But no sooner had she left the town on leave than the Council replaced Mr Mettler (without reasons) with the more junior Pedro Oliphant - a matriculant who had seen some municipal experience as Community Services Manager.

The Council meeting was held without notifying the community, community organisations or the Ratepayers' & Residents' Association. Ms Fortuin was tasked with clearing her desk and leaving Municipal premises immediately.