UPROARRRRR as Social Development advertises jobs in labor court

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – The Department of Social Development is again in the spotlight over jobs after advertising positions that they as the department referred to court.

This was after the secular of the DPSA published and advertised the highly contested positions that the department took to labor court after the awards were awarded to employees.

Two employees who came tops in their respective interviews; Director: Youth Development and Director: Security Administration Anti-Fraud and Corruption were strangely overlooked in 2018 despite the panel recommendations and their runner-ups were appointed.

At the time, Limakatso Mahasa in her capacity as MEC for Social Development approved the appointment of Dibuo Maputle but instead, Dibolelo Mahlatsi was appointed.

Mahlatsi is now MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure.

In 2022, the sheriff of the court embarrassed the department when it attached furniture after the department failed to pay R3 million as ordered by the court to Dibuo Maputle who won her case after she was overlooked.

Khauhelo Mnqibisa, secretary of NEHAWU in Free State said they have received an award that Maputle must be appointed in an interview with SABC last year.

Lindiwe Mnguni who was acting spokesperson said the matter was sub judice and it is still sub judice but they advertised the position.

It remains to be seen if Mahlatsi will be dragged to court to pay back the money should the labor court rule that indeed her appointment was irregular.

One of the remedial actions in the Public Service Regulations is money must be paid back in irregular appointments.

Its alleged two employees who laid grievances in the other positions were paid R250 000 and this is the same department that earlier this month appointed two people a week after the closing date of the adverts, a week.

It will also be interesting how the Premier maneuvers around this matter as it involves his deputy provincial secretary.

Tshidi Koloi, MEC for Social Development did not respond to our questions.

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