FORMER EDUCATION CFO DRAGS MEC FOR PURGING

The chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) Provincial List Committee(PLC) and MEC of Education in the Free State Tate Makgoe is alleged to have purged former chief financial officer, Dr JEM Sekolanyane over the awarding of tenders.

Makgoe, who has been a member of the provincial legislature since 1994, who fell out of favour with the suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule, is alleged to have made life hell for Dr Sekolanyane after he tried to move him to Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation. Dr Sekolanyane according to sources viewed the move as demotion as CFO at SACR is at a junior level compared to Education.

Step Up SA News has learnt that Dr Sekolanyane opted to resign rather than being demoted to a department in a mess and he’s reportedly taking the Department of Education to the CCMA for constructive dismissal.

The CFO position at Education is at Deputy Director General level 15 while at Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation is at Chief Director level 14.

A source close to the situation said Makgoe bragged about getting rid of Dr Sekolanyane.

“MEC was bragging. He was, in fact, celebrating after Dr Sekolanyane resigned saying that he forced him out.”

Another source said the main reason Makgoe got rid of the CFO was the purse.

“Dr Sekolanyane was seen as a stumbling block between MEC Makgoe and the purse. Remember, he is a economist so he checks everything and that frustrated Tate because his preferred companies could not get business.”

Step Up SA News has it on good authority that Deputy Director-General of Special Programs, Khoarai Khoarai was the first one to go followed by Deputy Director-General of District and Curriculum Management, Motseki Monnane earlier this year allegedly due to pressure from Makgoe, who according to sources, wants his preferred companies to be awarded tenders in his department against the PFMA, which is clear who does what, when and how.

The departure of Monnane few years before his retirement age is a call for concern, it left Education with a single DDG of Corporate Services, MM “Fani” Sithole, who has since been moved to Districts and Curriculum Management with Chief Director Bob Tladi now acting as DDG Corporate Service, a position that makes key decisions as he is in charge of Infrastructure and Human Resources.

Makgoe is no stranger to controversy, few months ago he was implicated in the Shanduka tender, which was never advertised.

It is alleged that the MEC broke the rules in giving Shanduka the tender.

According to sources, the Shanduka tender was a path on his way to become the Premier.

Besides being an ANC official, an MEC with an annual salary of R1.6 million with a monthly housing allowance of R20 000, clothing allowance of R30 000 per month and other benefits such as medical and transportation, Makgoe is reportedly a businessman and has properties across the Free State, including a golf estate in Parys. He also owns a property in Rondebosch, Cape Town.

The MEC is a shareholder in an Engen filling station and owns a convenience store in Bloemfontein and half of equity in Woolworths franchises in Phuthaditjhaba and Ramsey.
He also owns a stake in Cappello nightclubs in Bloemfontein and Kimberley.

Makgoe is considered one of the ANC’s most influential members in the province that has governed South Africa since the end of white minority rule. He is said to be campaigning to become the next Premier of the Free State when his tenure at Education ends when the ANC heads to provincial conference next year.

Another source from ANC, said the position Makgoe holds within the ANC requires a person beyond reproach.

“The ANC decided to make Tate a chairperson of the Provincial List Committee(PLC) when he is busy purging everyone close to Magashule for no reason and they know it. These allegations are serious and they (ANC) know it but do nothing,” the source said.

Dr Sekolanyane could not be reached for his comment.

Howard Ndaba, spokesperson for the Department of Education, said the matter is sub judice.

“As you know the matter is before arbitration, we can’t comment as it’s sub judice,” Ndaba said.

This is a developing story.