Leaked video of Stellenbosch HR manager ignites controversy over hiring practices

A leaked video of a Stellenbosch Municipality senior HR manager suggesting white males should no longer be appointed has sparked political outrage and condemnation.

In the leaked video, Alexander Kannemeyer is seen speaking with a colleague, implying that the municipality should stop hiring white males and push out those already employed by making their work environment unbearable. He further raises concern that white male candidates often score highest in job interviews and suggests that measures be taken to make life “difficult” for them until they resign.

In light of this, the mayor of Stellenbosch, Jeremy Fassar, said that he has conducted investigations and that the circulating video is from 2023.

“As the Executive Mayor of Stellenbosch, I have conducted a preliminary investigation into the allegation of constructive dismissal, bullying or any other infringement on workplace rights that surfaced on the recent circulation of a video recording made in 2023.”

Fassar said he would convene a special council meeting later this week to initiate the process and review the municipality’s Recruitment and Selection Policy.

“I believe there is enough reason to institute an internal investigation into these allegations, and as such, I am convening a special council meeting later this week to start the process. I will also be reviewing the Recruitment and Selection Policy of the Municipality to ensure that there are no loopholes to allow race-based bullying and constructive dismissal to occur.”

He further condemned the alleged behaviour, stressing that the municipality remains committed to building a South Africa free from all forms of discrimination and racial bias.

In a statement, the GOOD Party said it had long raised concerns about Stellenbosch Municipality’s track record on employment equity and staff appointments.

“GOOD has long expressed concern about the Stellenbosch Municipality’s troubled track record when it comes to employment equity and appointments. Even under the current leadership, the Municipality has been embroiled in legal challenges, including one case where a white female was appointed over a more qualified coloured female candidate, a decision found unlawful by the courts. These types of incidents are not isolated. They reflect a systemic problem.”

The party added that, while they acknowledge public frustration and Kannemeyer’s concerns about the slow pace of transformation, they cannot and will not endorse actions that amount to racial purging or the manipulation of hiring processes to achieve predetermined racial outcomes. 

“Transformation must be pursued legally, transparently, and ethically, not through backdoor purges, nor by making any employee’s life 'difficult' until they leave, as the HR manager is heard saying,” the statement said.

AfriForum also stated that it will investigate the alleged discriminatory practices within Stellenbosch Municipality.

“AfriForum will further investigate the discriminatory practices within Stellenbosch Municipality. AfriForum emphasises that a municipality’s primary focus should always be service delivery, and it must therefore appoint the best personnel for the job. When senior officials propose race-based victimisation instead of merit-based appointments, it undermines employees’ rights and also directly threatens service delivery to the public.”

The organisation added that Kannemeyer’s actions demonstrate he can not be trusted to make legal and impartial decisions, and called for his removal from the position through due legal process.

Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) has called on the DA to take swift and decisive action against Kannemeyer.

The VF Plus condemns these views and utterances in the strongest possible terms. It is utterly shocking that a senior official would be willing to compromise service delivery in Stellenbosch merely to pursue transformation targets.

“The DA, as the governing party in Stellenbosch, must clarify whether these views align with its policies. If not, the Freedom Front Plus expects an unequivocal repudiation of Mr. Kannemeyer’s statements and a public commitment to meritocratic principles.”

The DA said it was deeply concerned about the video and reaffirmed its commitment to non-racialism, rejecting all forms of discrimination, regardless of their source or target.

“In light of the video being circulated on social media, the remarks, if accurately reported in context, run directly contrary to the DA’s values and principles.

The DA draws a clear line between party and state. We do not engage in cadre deployment and expect a competent, independent civil service to implement our policies where we govern. Therefore, we expect DA-governed municipalities to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the constitutional values of fairness and dignity, and with DA policy.

We will be engaging with the political leadership of the Stellenbosch Municipality to establish the facts of this matter and to ensure that the appropriate processes are followed.”

The party emphasised that the remarks in the video are unacceptable in a DA-governed municipality and have no place in any government institution in South Africa.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za