Details have emerged of how Eastern Cape transport bosses butted heads leading to a breakdown of relations in a department responsible for R570 million scholar transport programme
At the centre of the conflict between transport MEC Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe and former head of department Irene Mpolweni was disagreement over how administrative programmes were managed.
The airport was downgraded from category four to three by the SA Aviation Authority for failing to meet the requirements. “In some instances, my office advises contrary to what you sought but you proceed to do what you sought despite the advice,” the letter reads. “Our client denies all allegations contained in the letter and are, according to our client, baseless and frivolous. It should also be noted that our client reserves the right to respond more fully to the contents of the aforementioned letter at the appropriate time and forum.
Unathi Binqose, transport spokesperson, said Mpolweni had asked to be released from her contract a month before it expired “meaning her last day at work was October 31 instead of November 30.” Binqose sent City Press a list of alleged charges that Mpolweni faced, but she denied all of them saying these were “unfounded allegations” which amounted to defamation.Before Mpolweni left the department, she and Tikana-Gxothiwe wrote letters in February begging Masualle to the resolve their squabble.
“As a matter of urgency, I would like you to appraise me on this matter before the end of business of February 4. No further action you must take in disciplining these officials until you have appraised me of the circumstances and rationale behind your decision to act,” the letter said in part. When she suspended the officials, Mpolweni said she had exercised her powers in terms of section 7 of the Public Service Act, 1994 , as amended, which provides that head of department shall be responsible for efficient management and administration of discipline.
Govender had requested an opinion from Simoyi on the lawfulness of Tikana-Gxothiwe’s decision to lift the suspension of the four officials. Simoyi also mentioned a letter that Mpolweni wrote disagreeing with Tikana-Gxothiwe’s view that she was not briefed about the suspension of employees and indicating that the suspensions were unlawful. “She further informed the MEC that she had sanctioned an investigation to be conducted by a firm of attorneys, Mageza Raffee Mokoena Inc.,” Simoyi wrote.
Mqobi also stated that Mpolweni was suspended on February 4 by Masualle based on recommendations by Tikana-Gxothiwe for alleged poor performance and negligence linked to the downgrade of the Mthatha Airport.
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