Spin doctors’ post probed

Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle’s office hired two spin doctors – costing taxpayers an additional R2.2-million over the past two years – despite having only advertised for one position.

Now Masualle has launched an inquiry into how he ended up with such a situation.

This despite the fact that he has been aware of their existence since the two – Nomfanelo Kota and Mandisa Titi – were hired in 2014.

Alarm bells were raised earlier this year when Bhisho legislature office of the premier portfolio committee chairman Sicelo Gqobana raised concerns about additional staff members in the highest office in the province having been over and above the prescripts of the Ministerial Handbook.

The position of general manager: provincial communications was advertised in 2013 and encouraged those with a basic degree and an honours degree to apply.

Closing date for application was May 10 2013 and interviews were held in the following weeks. Although the R1.1-million per annum post required one suitable qualified candidate, two appointment letters were issued for R1.1-million each – to Kota and Titi.

The Dispatch has been reliably informed that of the two, it was only Titi who had applied for the position. Kota, on the other hand, was appointed without having applied for the post.

“There is no record of Kota having applied for the post of general manager: communications. However, she appeared on the interviews and the chairperson of the interview panel, deputy director general in the Office of the Premier Mahlubandile Qwase, allowed her to be interviewed. She did well in the interview, but did not possess the required qualification for the post.

“Both Titi and Kota were appointed to the one post with letters of appointment sent as such. Titi met the qualifications required while Kota did not,” said a source close to the developments.

Kota is an experienced communicator, having been a spokeswoman for the Department of International Relations for a number of years – serving former Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and later Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. She also spent a few years in New York, as a Counsellor for Political Affairs at South Africa’s permanent mission to the UN.

The Dispatch sent questions to both Qwase and Titi’s office; however the reply came from Titi who is the official spokeswoman for the Office of the Premier (OTP). In her response Titi claimed the Dispatch had previously reported about this matter.

“May I remind you that in February your newspaper ran an article on the same issue you are addressing with us. We decline to comment,” Titi said.

Qwase referred questions to Titi.

Not satisfied with the response, the Dispatch contacted provincial government spokesman Sizwe Kupelo.

Kupelo asked for time to enquire about the matter and later offered the following comment.

“The matter has been referred to the director general to establish facts of what really happened from the interviewing panel which was chaired by DDG Qwase at the time, as you may be aware,” said Kupelo.

Asked to comment, Kota said it would be irregular for her to comment on matters she had no authority on.

Another source said when Titi and Kota first reported for duty in 2014, Qwase read them the Riot Act adding Kota would serve as government spokeswoman and advisor to incoming premier Masualle.

Masualle was said to have arrived to his new office two months later with his own staff.

“Kota was then appointed to a level 11 Media Liaison post with additional responsibilities like spokeswoman to justify the R1.1-million per annum post. However, she remains unhappy as she is not doing the work she received a letter of appointment for,” a source said.

Her responsibilities as government spokeswoman have been handed over to Kupelo, a former health spokesman, who was seconded to the OTP.

The source said the OTP recently hired a media liaison officer rendering Kota redundant in that office. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za