Arrive Alive spokesman Tshepo Machaea has tendered his resignation amid claims that his employer, the Eastern Cape transport department, is refusing to settle his travel claims.
Machaea reportedly forked out R100000 from his own pocket between March and September this year to attend to more than 600 crashes across the province.
The Daily Dispatch has seen his letter dated August 27 in which he states: “The purpose of this communique is to inform you (head of department) that I would like to tender my resignation from the department with effect from October 1, 2015.”
Machaea, who has been doing the job since 1996, added: “If I could provide any assistance with guiding my replacement or otherwise facilitating transition, I would be happy to do so.”
A senior traffic official at the transport department said Machaea’s resignation was being swept under the carpet as it would embarrass the department.
“He is a highly decorated and dedicated traffic and road safety officer who has brought stability in terms of how traffic matters are reported and communicated in this province.
“He is the only person dealing with traffic matters in the Eastern Cape but he is not properly resourced,” the official said.
The official said Machaea had decided to part ways with the department when it failed to pay his travel claims.
“The claims are from March 2015 to date. He uses his own private vehicle and a petrol card for official duties,” the official said.
“Remember, on average we have 120 fatalities monthly in this province and Tshepo must be at each and everyone of them to assist the victims. He really feels unappreciated and unwanted in this department.”
Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana told the Dispatch yesterday that she had learnt of Machaea’s resignation too late.
“All matters relating to Level 1 to 12 employees are dealt with by the HOD in the department. At no stage was his resignation brought to my attention.
“I only learnt of his resignation on Sunday, September 20. I then requested to meet with him on Friday but that did not materialise because of the holiday.
“It is important that we sit and resolve this matter considering his experience and capacity.
“When I came to the department, the issues of overtime and claims were there, but it appeared that some employees were abusing the system or not getting prior approval from management before travelling.”
She said: “Mr Machaea is the only person who does what he does in the province. When there is an accident in Cradock he has to get there from Mthatha.
“If these are really the issues over his resignation, then we have to address them holistically. I still believe that we can find a better way to resolve this.”
Machaea could not be reached for comment yesterday. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Arrive Alive’s Machaea resigns
Machaea reportedly forked out R100000 from his own pocket between March and September this year to attend to more than 600 crashes across the province.
The Daily Dispatch has seen his letter dated August 27 in which he states: “The purpose of this communique is to inform you (head of department) that I would like to tender my resignation from the department with effect from October 1, 2015.”
Machaea, who has been doing the job since 1996, added: “If I could provide any assistance with guiding my replacement or otherwise facilitating transition, I would be happy to do so.”
A senior traffic official at the transport department said Machaea’s resignation was being swept under the carpet as it would embarrass the department.
“He is a highly decorated and dedicated traffic and road safety officer who has brought stability in terms of how traffic matters are reported and communicated in this province.
“He is the only person dealing with traffic matters in the Eastern Cape but he is not properly resourced,” the official said.
The official said Machaea had decided to part ways with the department when it failed to pay his travel claims.
“The claims are from March 2015 to date. He uses his own private vehicle and a petrol card for official duties,” the official said.
“Remember, on average we have 120 fatalities monthly in this province and Tshepo must be at each and everyone of them to assist the victims. He really feels unappreciated and unwanted in this department.”
Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana told the Dispatch yesterday that she had learnt of Machaea’s resignation too late.
“All matters relating to Level 1 to 12 employees are dealt with by the HOD in the department. At no stage was his resignation brought to my attention.
“I only learnt of his resignation on Sunday, September 20. I then requested to meet with him on Friday but that did not materialise because of the holiday.
“It is important that we sit and resolve this matter considering his experience and capacity.
“When I came to the department, the issues of overtime and claims were there, but it appeared that some employees were abusing the system or not getting prior approval from management before travelling.”
She said: “Mr Machaea is the only person who does what he does in the province. When there is an accident in Cradock he has to get there from Mthatha.
“If these are really the issues over his resignation, then we have to address them holistically. I still believe that we can find a better way to resolve this.”
Machaea could not be reached for comment yesterday. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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