Pay Back The Money - Mossel Bay Muncipality Salary Controversy

Demand accountability and transparency from Mossel Bay Municipality — insist on public affordability assessments and clear justification for executive salary decisions.

This article examines the controversy surrounding municipal manager Colin Puren’s salary in Mossel Bay, where he was initially paid above the legally permitted scale. Although a council ruling required repayment, the municipality later obtained a national waiver to retroactively legalise that salary — without transparent affordability evidence. At the same time, record tariff increases and fixed charges were imposed on residents struggling to pay their bills. This raises serious governance and accountability questions about how policy is applied differently to officials versus ratepayers.

The Puren Salary Controversy Explained

Colin Puren was appointed as Municipal Manager at the highest salary scale available to a Category 4 municipality. This decision exceeded recommended guidelines. Following internal review processes, council determined the salary to be unlawful and ordered repayment of R573,805.75. However, instead of enforcing repayment, the municipality pursued and received a national ministerial waiver that retroactively validated the higher salary, effectively nullifying the repayment order.

How the Situation Unfolded

The appointment took place in early 2022. Concerns over salary compliance surfaced in 2023, resulting in a formal determination that the remuneration exceeded legal limits. The repayment instruction was later reversed in 2024 when a waiver was granted by national government. Despite repeated public queries, no detailed affordability assessment or justification for the waiver has been made publicly available.

Root Causes of the Controversy

The issue reflects deeper governance weaknesses, including inconsistent application of policy, a lack of transparency in decision-making, and a governance culture that appears to prioritise executive protection over public accountability. Affordability principles appear selectively enforced — strictly applied to residents but relaxed for senior officials.

Stakeholders Involved

The matter involves the Municipal Manager, the Mayor and Municipal Council, Mossel Bay Municipality as an institution, national government authorities responsible for oversight, and local ratepayers who ultimately fund municipal operations.

Evidence and Impact Summary

COGTA Ruling and Reversal of Repayment Decision

Following the Council’s initial instruction that the overpayment be repaid, MossRates obtained the written ruling from the Head of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).

The ruling confirms that, where sufficient provision exists within an approved municipal budget, a municipality may remunerate a Municipal Manager above the standard scale. On this basis, the earlier repayment decision was reversed.

While this clarification explains how the reversal occurred, it does not resolve the broader governance concern raised by ratepayers: discretionary flexibility appears to be applied to senior officials, while residents and ratepayers remain subject to strict, non-negotiable enforcement of municipal charges and obligations.

The available evidence shows that a repayment instruction arising from unlawfully awarded remuneration was overturned through an administrative waiver, during a period marked by significant tariff increases, the introduction of fixed electricity charges, and rising household arrears. Together, these developments point to an imbalance in financial discipline that has weakened public trust, raised concerns about oversight and accountability, and contributed to growing scepticism toward municipal leadership.

Call for full disclosure of affordability assessments, consistent enforcement of governance rules, and meaningful public accountability in municipal decision-making.

What This Case Reveals About Governance

The Puren salary controversy illustrates systemic governance challenges within Mossel Bay. It highlights how policy flexibility for officials, combined with rigidity for residents, creates legitimacy and trust deficits. Addressing this imbalance is essential to restoring confidence and ensuring fair, accountable municipal administration.

Without Transparency we create a breeding ground for corruption to fester.