A cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) investigation into sex-for-jobs allegations in Bhisho found no substantiating evidence of senior administrators involved in the scandal.
But a report detailing the investigation’s findings highlighted allegations of abuse of power by the department’s then administration head Stanley Khanyile.
The probe was sanctioned last October by MEC Fikile Xasa after a list of grievances from the department’s labour force were received.
Khanyile, who left Cogta for the social development department, yesterday denied abusing his authority while in charge.
However, he welcomed the findings on the sex-for-jobs allegations, saying he felt exonerated by the report.
“There have never been such incidents on my part, as I have always maintained,” he said.
Employees, mostly aligned to Nehawu, had complained to Xasa about nepotism, flouting of recruitment policies, accusations of sexual favours in exchange for jobs and alleged abuse of power by managers.
An investigation launched into the matter was completed in December, but the findings were only handed over to affected parties last week.
On allegations of managers using their seniority to solicit sexual favours from junior employees and interns, no substantiated evidence could be found.
“The cases presented to the committee were difficult to prove,” states the report.
It further revealed allegations of “girlfriend appointments” could not be proved as those accused of arranging such appointments “denied them vehemently”.
“Allegations of women engaged as interns but ending up in senior management positions, simply because of their alleged romantic attachment to (Khanyile), although widespread, were not substantiated,” said the report.
But on the abuse of power, it found Cogta had “clearly been governed in a highly autocratic and high-handed manner which created fear instead of respect for the HoD ”.
Junior employees were the most affected “as they were exposed to outbursts and threats, reminders of rank disparities and how powerful and untouchable the HoD and some of his management team were”.
“The effect of this unhappy state of affairs has manifested itself through the number of officials who are stressed, traumatised, with several receiving psychological treatment and taking long absences from work, and even hospitalised.
“The estimated cost of R4.6-million related to employees’ sick leave during 2012-13 is an indication of the extent to which employees are either unhappy or unwell in the workplace,” states the report.
The investigation also uncovered irregularities in the appointment of Operation Clean Audit officials by Khanyile’s administration.
Xasa said he would “apply” his mind before coming up with an implementation plan.
“It seems there has been serious abuse of power, but we need to find a way to quickly normalise the situation at the department,” Xasa said.
Khanyile said the complaints raised against him were human resources issues where he took decisions he felt were correct at the time.
“There was nothing unlawful or illegal about my actions,” he said.
Nehawu’s chairman at Cogta, Lennox Maho, yesterday welcomed the report, saying it proved 90% of their grievances had substance.
“What we are now waiting for is leadership to take action on the report findings,” said Maho. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
Sex-for-jobs probe finds no evidence
But a report detailing the investigation’s findings highlighted allegations of abuse of power by the department’s then administration head Stanley Khanyile.
The probe was sanctioned last October by MEC Fikile Xasa after a list of grievances from the department’s labour force were received.
Khanyile, who left Cogta for the social development department, yesterday denied abusing his authority while in charge.
However, he welcomed the findings on the sex-for-jobs allegations, saying he felt exonerated by the report.
“There have never been such incidents on my part, as I have always maintained,” he said.
Employees, mostly aligned to Nehawu, had complained to Xasa about nepotism, flouting of recruitment policies, accusations of sexual favours in exchange for jobs and alleged abuse of power by managers.
An investigation launched into the matter was completed in December, but the findings were only handed over to affected parties last week.
On allegations of managers using their seniority to solicit sexual favours from junior employees and interns, no substantiated evidence could be found.
“The cases presented to the committee were difficult to prove,” states the report.
It further revealed allegations of “girlfriend appointments” could not be proved as those accused of arranging such appointments “denied them vehemently”.
“Allegations of women engaged as interns but ending up in senior management positions, simply because of their alleged romantic attachment to (Khanyile), although widespread, were not substantiated,” said the report.
But on the abuse of power, it found Cogta had “clearly been governed in a highly autocratic and high-handed manner which created fear instead of respect for the HoD ”.
Junior employees were the most affected “as they were exposed to outbursts and threats, reminders of rank disparities and how powerful and untouchable the HoD and some of his management team were”.
“The effect of this unhappy state of affairs has manifested itself through the number of officials who are stressed, traumatised, with several receiving psychological treatment and taking long absences from work, and even hospitalised.
“The estimated cost of R4.6-million related to employees’ sick leave during 2012-13 is an indication of the extent to which employees are either unhappy or unwell in the workplace,” states the report.
The investigation also uncovered irregularities in the appointment of Operation Clean Audit officials by Khanyile’s administration.
Xasa said he would “apply” his mind before coming up with an implementation plan.
“It seems there has been serious abuse of power, but we need to find a way to quickly normalise the situation at the department,” Xasa said.
Khanyile said the complaints raised against him were human resources issues where he took decisions he felt were correct at the time.
“There was nothing unlawful or illegal about my actions,” he said.
Nehawu’s chairman at Cogta, Lennox Maho, yesterday welcomed the report, saying it proved 90% of their grievances had substance.
“What we are now waiting for is leadership to take action on the report findings,” said Maho. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
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