The man who became the first casualty in the multimillion-rand Nelson Mandela funeral scandal has walked away from his job with a lucrative golden handshake.
Sitembele Mase, the former Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) chief executive, yesterday received an estimated R2-million payout after he reached a settlement with the ECDC. This after the corporation decided to buy him out of his contract, which was due to end in June next year.
He earned an annual salary of over R1.7-million. Had he stayed in his job, Mase would have earned in excess of R2-million.
The settlement comes six months after he was fired in May following the corporation board’s decision to abruptly end its disciplinary processes against him.
Two months earlier he was suspended in a scandal over the alleged unauthorised disbursal of funds meant for Mandela’s funeral.
At the time he was the subject of an internal investigation after the ECDC paid R22-million to suppliers contracted by the provincial treasury for the Mandela memorial arrangements. This was in line with the provincial cabinet’s resolution that money from a social infrastructure fund managed by ECDC on behalf of provincial treasury would be used to settle invoices approved by the department.
He took the ECDC to the commission for conciliation, mediation and arbitration (CCMA) to challenge his dismissal on the grounds that it was substantially and procedurally unfair.
Yesterday the two parties – ECDC and Mase – ditched their labour battle in favour of a settlement, putting an end to months of legal wrangling.
Last night Max Mhlathi, a member of the provincial legislature and chairman of Scopa, said they called for accountability from the very outset the allegations surfaced that a number of officials were involved in the Mandela funeral scandal.
Mhlathi said there’s more questions than answers.
“The same people you are talking about have an audit finding and now they are giving money to the person who was fingered in this, what is happening in our province,” said Mhlathi.
“Many people have stood on podiums saying they will fight corruption and now this. There is a confidentiality in this deal with Mase that there are things that he won’t disclose, it’s normally like that. This is pure corruption.”
The settlement comes just a few days before 11 officials from Buffalo City Metro, including mayor Zukiswa Ncitha will appear in court on allegations of corruption that led to R6-million being given to an East London businessman, Mzwandile Sokwali to transport Mandela mourners around the province.
ANC’s Phindile Miza said provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane will be available today for comment.
While the amount of the settlement was not disclosed, Mase’s attorney Bridgette Magnus of Russel Inc said ECDC would effectively pay him the balance of his contract and an undisclosed contribution to his costs.
ECDC spokeswoman Nopasika Mxunyelwa confirmed the settlement.
“This was an amicable agreement He has been paid for the remainder of his contract,” Mxunyelwa said.
Mase last night said he was happy with the cash settlement. “There was a new proposal from ECDC and I felt that I should entertain it because it’s a good settlement and it’s amicable,” Mase said.
“There is no admission of any guilt of any offence from either party.
“Financially the settlement starts from the time I was dismissed to when my contract was due to end .” — siyam@dispatch.co.za/fuzileb@dispatch.co.za
ECDC settles legal battle with Mase
Sitembele Mase, the former Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) chief executive, yesterday received an estimated R2-million payout after he reached a settlement with the ECDC. This after the corporation decided to buy him out of his contract, which was due to end in June next year.
He earned an annual salary of over R1.7-million. Had he stayed in his job, Mase would have earned in excess of R2-million.
The settlement comes six months after he was fired in May following the corporation board’s decision to abruptly end its disciplinary processes against him.
Two months earlier he was suspended in a scandal over the alleged unauthorised disbursal of funds meant for Mandela’s funeral.
At the time he was the subject of an internal investigation after the ECDC paid R22-million to suppliers contracted by the provincial treasury for the Mandela memorial arrangements. This was in line with the provincial cabinet’s resolution that money from a social infrastructure fund managed by ECDC on behalf of provincial treasury would be used to settle invoices approved by the department.
He took the ECDC to the commission for conciliation, mediation and arbitration (CCMA) to challenge his dismissal on the grounds that it was substantially and procedurally unfair.
Yesterday the two parties – ECDC and Mase – ditched their labour battle in favour of a settlement, putting an end to months of legal wrangling.
Last night Max Mhlathi, a member of the provincial legislature and chairman of Scopa, said they called for accountability from the very outset the allegations surfaced that a number of officials were involved in the Mandela funeral scandal.
Mhlathi said there’s more questions than answers.
“The same people you are talking about have an audit finding and now they are giving money to the person who was fingered in this, what is happening in our province,” said Mhlathi.
“Many people have stood on podiums saying they will fight corruption and now this. There is a confidentiality in this deal with Mase that there are things that he won’t disclose, it’s normally like that. This is pure corruption.”
The settlement comes just a few days before 11 officials from Buffalo City Metro, including mayor Zukiswa Ncitha will appear in court on allegations of corruption that led to R6-million being given to an East London businessman, Mzwandile Sokwali to transport Mandela mourners around the province.
ANC’s Phindile Miza said provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane will be available today for comment.
While the amount of the settlement was not disclosed, Mase’s attorney Bridgette Magnus of Russel Inc said ECDC would effectively pay him the balance of his contract and an undisclosed contribution to his costs.
ECDC spokeswoman Nopasika Mxunyelwa confirmed the settlement.
“This was an amicable agreement He has been paid for the remainder of his contract,” Mxunyelwa said.
Mase last night said he was happy with the cash settlement. “There was a new proposal from ECDC and I felt that I should entertain it because it’s a good settlement and it’s amicable,” Mase said.
“There is no admission of any guilt of any offence from either party.
“Financially the settlement starts from the time I was dismissed to when my contract was due to end .” — siyam@dispatch.co.za/fuzileb@dispatch.co.za
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