Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – The forced transfer of Deputy Director: Payments and Authorisation at Free State Human Settlement had him manhandled by 12 security personnel and physically pushed out of office following a complaint he lodged with the Public Service Commission.
James Zuko, who has been a public servant for at least 31 years wrote to PSC to investigate payments at Free State Human Settlement which included:
- R75 million to DBSA
- Upliftment of suspension of Asbestos implicated employees;
- Thabiso Makepe: Chief Director: Project Monitoring Unit
- Ms. Nozipho Berlina Molikoe: Chief Financial Officer: Human Settlements,
- Appointment of Kuhle Solutions despite being the highest bidder (R500 000)
According to sources at the Public Service Commission both HoD, Mosa Masemene, and MEC, Ketso Makume have blueticked emails sent to them and the matter has now been referred to Premier, Mxolisi Dukwana.
A transfer submission in possession of this publication signed by Human Settlement and Social Development and approved by Premier, Mxolisi Dukwana, a Master of Business and Administration holder is moved from Finance to Monitoring and Evaluation because of stability. How does this make sense?
His position will be occupied by a B-Tech holder.
Sources close at Human Settlement allege Zuko’s new position at Social Development has not even been evaluated as required and he is still on the Human Settlement payroll.
Zuko is not the only employee allegedly targeted, there is also Dineo Leqheko who has been in a hospital bed since 8 March 2023, due to depression after being allegedly hunted by armed bodyguards strangely allowed in the building.
Masemene, Dukwana, and erstwhile Premier, Sefora Ntombela all refused to confirm or deny a meeting in Sandton on 29 July 2022, before she was appointed HoD, a privilege other candidates did not have.
The Department of Human Settlement is always in the news, but unfortunately not positive news.
In 2010/11 the department paid service providers over R1 billion for houses that were never built, among those who were paid is the wife of Fikile Mbalula and Hlaudi Motsoeneneng. Former HoD, Mpho Mokoena was sentenced to 15 years wholly suspended for his role.
Among others, the department had made an advance payment, something we are currently investigating over the construction of 2000 houses.
The houses were built after the Ministry of Human Settlement threatened to take the money if not spent, but out of that 2000, how many houses have been built thus far?
In Friday the department will be handing over houses at Vista Park, a move many seen as electioneering.
Athenkosi, spokesperson for MEC Makume and James Zuko could not be reached for comments.
This is a developing story.
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