Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – The cracks between the Member of the Executive Council for the Department of Small Business, Tourism, and Economic Affairs (DESTEA), Thabo Meeko and Free State Gambling Liquor, Tourism Authority are widening.
This follows the board’s decision to put Kenny Dichabe, CEO of the Tourism body on precautionary suspension with immediate effect from 17 April 2023, over his:
- alleged failure to implement the board resolution of 5th January 2024.
- alleged failure to exercise a duty of care as accounting officer concerning fraudulent licenses
While we reported how Thabo Meeko, MEC tried to reason with the board not to rush their decision and asked the board to rescind the suspension, there is more, confusion.
According to a letter in our possession dated 23 April 2024, from board chairperson, Jack Tladi to staff, Sharon Mohale has been appointed to act from 17 April 2024.
Another letter, also in our possession dated 22 April 2024, from MEC, Thabo Meeko to DESTEA, CFO, LF Kalane being appointed to act with effect from 23 April 2024.
While it’s not clear who is acting or whose acting appointment is legit and acceptable, this raises serious governance concerns.
The composition of the board is extremely interesting as the chairman of the board is alleged to be a close friend of Premier, Mxolisi Dukwana, while two other board members are working in the offices of MECs Dibolelo Mahlatsi and Ketso Makume.
Mahlatsi’s husband was axed together with two others and it’s alleged this is where the fall out between Dichabe and the board started.
History tells us most institutions collapsed under boards whose priorities were skewed and as a result, things went south.
Typical example would be South African Airways board that led to former board chairperson, Dudu Myeni declared delinquent,
Other institutions that fell flat on their faces in the hands of boards aligned to ANC are: PRASA, ESKOM, National Lottery, SABC just to mention a few.
Leaked minutes of the board meeting in 2021 indicate a resolution to move from FDC building temporarily and what we have discovered, is shocking.
This is a developing story.
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