Makgoe fingered in the damning PSC report over irregular appointments

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – Following series of our articles over nepotism and irregular appointments at Free State Education, a damning report from the Provincial Service Commission is fingering Tate Makgoe.

The commission was investigating at least 21 cases of alleged irregular appointments after complaints from departmental staff.

The report dated 15 November 2022, in possession of the publication is confirming exactly what we have reported about the department in one incident appointed Cycil Ngwenya, a convicted criminal and this, was found to be true.

“Given the failure by the department to provide the information pertaining to the criminal record checkson Mr Ngwenya, the PSC can conclude the department did not conduct the criminal record check on Mr Ngwenya.

Mr Ngwenya could not be reached by IO on his cell phone.”

Dealing with the finding the PSC report reads.

“The fact that the post was not advertised, and that Mr Ngwenya was not subjected to to a normal recruitment and selection process, amounts to irregular appointment.”

With regards to the recommendations, PSC recommended that:

“The department should correct the irregular appointment of Mr Ngwenya, in line with the PSC’s Guide to Correct Irregular Appointments, issued in 2018.”

Another appointment deemed irregular by the PSC is that of Mr Khumalo as we previously reported, according to the report the allegation was:

“Mr Khumalo was appointed to the post of DD: Internal Communications (salary level 12), without possessing a tertiary, or equivalent qualifications.

The information received further revealed that Mr Khumalo was previously appointed as on a permanent basis in the office of EA as Parliamentary Liaison Officer, at salary level 12, and EA approved his internal transfer to the post in line with section 14 (2)(b), read with section 14(3)(a) of PSA, 1984 (as amended).

Further scrutiny on Mr Khumalo’s educational qualifications has shown that he has o a matric certificate only. The PSC requested the Job Description and Job Evaluation results, The JD was provided by the department, but does not reflect academic requirements for the post. The job evaluation was not provided by the department to the PSC.”

The report found that:

“Since Mr Khumalo has on a matric certificate, the allegation that the post was filled by a person who does not have possess a tertiary qualification is substantiated.”

The recommendation was the department to correct the irregular appointment as per PSC guidelines of 2018.

Our of 21 cases its only in one incident where PSC recommends disciplinary actions against selection committee members and acting DDG: Corporate Services.

This after the panel appointed Ms Molloyi who got 80% instead of Ms VB More who got 86% and recommended More to a position she did not apply for and that appointment was also found to be irregular.

The panel members were:
Mr PL Legegeru- acting SCM who was the chairperson
Ms E Ntjabezo – Acting Chief Director: Budget and Financial Planning (Member) – replaced by Mr TMS Molebatsi
Mr TK Sekhokho – DD: Logistics: SM (Member)
Mr TS Nkaekae – HR Administration (Scribe)

The acting Deputy Director General: Corporate Services: Bob Tladi.

Tladi’s appoitment has always raised eyebrows with staff at the time alleging he is the enabler for MEC Makgoe, Fanie Sithole who was DDG: CS was moved suspiciously to Districts and Curriculum.

Free State Provincial Government has 94 senior managers who do not have required qualifications and if Mxolisi Dukwana, Free State Premier is really serious about sorting the mess in government as per his SOPA yesterday we dare him to start at Education and Social Development otherwise we will never take him serious.

We will send questions to Auditor General and ask if these irregular appointments do not amount to irregular expenditure.

Howard Ndaba, spokesperson for the department of Education did not respond to our questions including if the department has implemented any of the recommendations.

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