Suspended CEO Mase insists he’s done nothing wrong.
SUSPENDED Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) chief executive Sitembele Mase vowed to clear his name of “trumped up charges” involving more than R20-million paid for former president Nelson Mandela memorial services.
Mase was suspended on Tuesday by the ECDC board on charges of unauthorised disbursal of funds.
Mase confirmed there were now 15 charges against him and his disciplinary committee hearing started yesterday.
The board has appointed ECDC non-executive director Reggie Naidoo as acting chief executive, “until May 31 or the finalisation of the disciplinary process against Mase”, said ECDC board chairwoman Nomfanelo Magwentshu.
Mase’s suspension comes after the provincial government authorised ECDC’s payment of R22.2-million from a R330-million Social Infrastructure Fund (SIF).Provincial treasury approved invoices totalling R22.2-million for payment of supplies ranging from takeaways to kangas, transport and T-shirts for Mandela memorial services, the Daily Dispatch reported yesterday.
Treasury sourced the suppliers and a resolution was taken by cabinet to use money from the SIF which was channelled to ECDC after the mid-term budget adjustments in September. Mase said he would use all legal means to clear his name.
“I have not done anything wrong.
“All we did as ECDC was effect payment as per cabinet instruction,” he said.
Mase said on Tuesday the board had claimed ignorance over the expenditure for the Mandela memorial arrangements, however no board member had raised any issues over this expenditure at a meeting held on Friday.
“ Prof Mkhalelwa Mazibuko even called me after MEC Jonas contacted him, asking why payments to some service providers were blocked.
“Jonas further sent his officials, including chief of staff Nkosohlanga Mboniswa, to ECDC to check what the problem was.
“On Friday the CFO presented a report on Mandela memorials payments. Yet Magwentshu distanced the board from the use of Social Infrastructure Fund, saying I should have asked for the board’s approval,” said Mase.
Mboniswa denied going to ECDC to check on payments. He said it was possible someone was sent informally to enquire because there had been pressure for payments.
He said: “Treasury must be accountable for this, it is between ECDC and Treasury, Dedeat has no role in this.”
Mase’s suspension comes after a conflict with the board, which has been brewing since 2011, when he opposed a board proposal to sell more than 200 ECDC residential properties to a single consortium.
Mase favoured a broad-based strategy giving the right of first refusal to current occupants and allowing the general public to participate in buying the properties.
Magwentshu said in a statement: “The board wishes to note that suspension is a neutral act intended to minimise disruption to the business and protect the interests of the employee and the employer while an independent investigation is completed.” — siyam@dispatch.co.za
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ECDC boss to fight back
SUSPENDED Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) chief executive Sitembele Mase vowed to clear his name of “trumped up charges” involving more than R20-million paid for former president Nelson Mandela memorial services.
Mase was suspended on Tuesday by the ECDC board on charges of unauthorised disbursal of funds.
Mase confirmed there were now 15 charges against him and his disciplinary committee hearing started yesterday.
The board has appointed ECDC non-executive director Reggie Naidoo as acting chief executive, “until May 31 or the finalisation of the disciplinary process against Mase”, said ECDC board chairwoman Nomfanelo Magwentshu.
Mase’s suspension comes after the provincial government authorised ECDC’s payment of R22.2-million from a R330-million Social Infrastructure Fund (SIF).Provincial treasury approved invoices totalling R22.2-million for payment of supplies ranging from takeaways to kangas, transport and T-shirts for Mandela memorial services, the Daily Dispatch reported yesterday.
Treasury sourced the suppliers and a resolution was taken by cabinet to use money from the SIF which was channelled to ECDC after the mid-term budget adjustments in September. Mase said he would use all legal means to clear his name.
“I have not done anything wrong.
“All we did as ECDC was effect payment as per cabinet instruction,” he said.
Mase said on Tuesday the board had claimed ignorance over the expenditure for the Mandela memorial arrangements, however no board member had raised any issues over this expenditure at a meeting held on Friday.
“ Prof Mkhalelwa Mazibuko even called me after MEC Jonas contacted him, asking why payments to some service providers were blocked.
“Jonas further sent his officials, including chief of staff Nkosohlanga Mboniswa, to ECDC to check what the problem was.
“On Friday the CFO presented a report on Mandela memorials payments. Yet Magwentshu distanced the board from the use of Social Infrastructure Fund, saying I should have asked for the board’s approval,” said Mase.
Mboniswa denied going to ECDC to check on payments. He said it was possible someone was sent informally to enquire because there had been pressure for payments.
He said: “Treasury must be accountable for this, it is between ECDC and Treasury, Dedeat has no role in this.”
Mase’s suspension comes after a conflict with the board, which has been brewing since 2011, when he opposed a board proposal to sell more than 200 ECDC residential properties to a single consortium.
Mase favoured a broad-based strategy giving the right of first refusal to current occupants and allowing the general public to participate in buying the properties.
Magwentshu said in a statement: “The board wishes to note that suspension is a neutral act intended to minimise disruption to the business and protect the interests of the employee and the employer while an independent investigation is completed.” — siyam@dispatch.co.za
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