Municipality tight-lipped about senior suspensions

During the final days of last year, two senior officials of the George Fire and Disaster Management Services were informed of their suspension, a development that has raised concern given their central role in safeguarding the town.

- Michelle Pienaar

The suspension of the Chief Fire Officer and Head of Disaster Management Neels Barnard and Fire Station Commander Santa Sternsdorff came as a shock to many within the emergency services community, in which both were regarded as key figures in operational readiness and disaster response.

The George Municipality has not denied these suspensions, but has declined to provide further details. Municipal spokesperson Chantèl Edwards said: “As per our policy, George Municipality does not provide comments on internal matters about officials.”

Both Barnard and Sternsdorff declined to comment when approached.