An Eastern Cape head of department has been named in a damning report on allegations of unfair labour practices, abuse of power and flouting procurement processes.
The report, compiled by advocate Vuyokazi Sangoni, was compiled after a forensic investigation into the conduct of transport HoD Irene Mpolweni.
This was after her subordinate, ICT director Feziwe Nombuthuma filed a formal complaint against Mpolweni, accusing her of intimidating her into signing off on a R29m ICT tender irregularly. The tender never materialised.
Transport spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie confirmed on Friday that MEC Weziwe Tikana instituted the investigation, but refused to give details on the findings, saying “this is still a matter between the employer and the employee”.
“The report was finalised and handed to the premier [Phumulo Masualle] for further processing,” Rantjie said.
The Dispatch has seen the 30-page report, in which Nombuthuma details a meeting allegedly called by Mpolweni at an East London hotel to which only one service provider was invited. Nombuthuma was allegedly told to give the automated IT system tender to this service provider.
Nombuthuma subsequently laid a formal complaint of intimidation, threats and coercion with Tikana against Mpolweni.
In her complaint, Nombuthuma says she was threatened and berated by the HoD after she refused to commit to procurement of an IT system for data fabric management.
Nombuthuma says she refused to sign off on procuring the system because supply chain management processes were not followed.
Mpolweni then wrote to the deputy director-general of administration, Lomex Sisilana, instructing him to institute disciplinary action against Nombuthuma for poor performance when she refused to appoint the service provider.
In his affidavit, which the Dispatch has seen, Sisilana said there had been pressure for Nombuthuma to procure an automated system.
Sisilana said he had advised Nombuthuma against procuring the system as it was not in line with her functions.
“It is important to note that as [a] supervisor on Nombuthuma, the DDG says he did not notice poor performance or lack of capacity from her side.
“All tasks that he gave her were performed and carried out competently, in fact on MPAT [management performance assessment tool] assessment, ICT was recommended at level four and this score demonstrates good performance,” the report reads.
Human resources director Mxolisi Tokota testified in a sworn affidavit that at a meeting with department heads at the Hemingways hotel there was one service provider present.
Mpolweni gave them instruction for the service provider to present an automated system and that it be procured urgently, he said.
“It was strange that the meeting was held where it was held and the fact that there was a service provider with them made him uneasy as to whether this was proper,” said Tokota.
Masualle’s spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo confirmed that they had received the report.
“Upon return, the premier will write to the MEC informing her of his decision,” he said.
Mpolweni said she was unaware of the report as “all matters incidental to heads of department are handled by the relevant premier”.
Nombuthuma could not be reached at the time of writing. Her landline rang unanswered on Friday and the Dispatch had no access to her cellphone number...