Correction on Stellenbosch article

The following is a letter from Stiaan Carstens, who was mentioned briefly in our article, “The strange lack of political oversight at Stellenbosch”, digitally published on The Cape Independent on 22 September 2025. We publish Mr Carstens’ response under the provisional assumption that what he says here is true in the factual details, and until such a time as we are presented with fresh evidence, offer our apologies for the inconvenience caused by our inaccuracies:

In this article, you mention me by name. I write this email in my personal capacity, but from my official work email address, to properly identify myself as the person you refer to in your article. I respond to your article only insofar as the article implicates me and my wife, and not to address any other matters raised about other individuals mentioned in the article.

Your article suggests I am involved in underhanded dealings, leading readers to question my integrity.

Responsible journalism involves tangible facts that you have verified, especially when questioning the oversight and accountability of an institution other than your own.

In response to the matters raised and levelled against me the following:

Drakenstein Municipality employed me from December 2001 to July 2008. Mayor van Deventer joined Drakenstein Municipality only in 2016.  I had never met her before I joined Stellenbosch Municipality in 2020. Until then, I lived and worked in George and applied for a position at Stellenbosch Municipality on my own initiative. Stellenbosch employed me following a full recruitment process.

My wife does not work in the Provincial Transport Department, nor is she a “senior director” as suggested in your article.  Provincial Government is not responsible for issuing any “building permits”. In her position, she does not hold any authority or delegation that would grant such permission.

I am a professionally registered town planner and adhere to the ethical standards of the South African Council for Planners. I am committed to complying with land use planning legislation, as well as the plans and policies approved by the Municipal Council. Decisions made by the Stellenbosch Planning Department in accordance with the Council’s delegated authority are open to appeal for review, and such decisions can also be challenged in court.

I question the motivation behind the false allegations you made against me. Those who seek to damage my professional reputation could be individuals with personal agendas who do not support the Department’s efforts to uphold proper planning practise and our responsibilities as planners.

You now have the facts and the opportunity to set the record straight. If you possess contrary facts, please submit affidavits from the individuals who supplied the information to the Municipality so it can be properly examined. If you lack affidavits that can be verified through a reasonable process or in court, clarify the facts and, in doing so, offer an apology.