Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – While many wonder WHY Joyce Mathae, Free State Premier fumbled the 5-year bag in a month after being warned by Dr Takisi Masiteng, we have the HOW part.
It was on Monday, 15 July 2024, when Dr Takisi Masiteng, head of department at the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) warned Mathae that he would rather leave than be transferred to a department he knows nothing about as that, in his view would collapse administration.
Masiteng allegedly threatened to take Mathae to court but, 31 days later, on 16 August 2024, Mathae who wilded her power after ousting Mxolisi Dukwana as Premier, was dealt a huge political blow when acting Judge Mahlangu confirmed the interim order handed by Judge Molitsoane a week earlier, 8 August 2024.
This blow was not delivered by Dr Masiteng but by Mosa Masemene who challenged what is now known as the infamous unlawful transfer.
In her court papers in possession of this publication, the borne of contention argued by Sonel Pienaar of Peyper Attorneys is section 12 (3) (b) of the Public Service Act, which says:
- the HoD May only be transferred if they consent
- if it’s in the public interest.
In her letter to Masemene, Mathae said she had consented to something Sonel rejected in court papers.
Masemene, who apart from not consenting indicated she had no background in a social work environment then explained what could be the reasons behind her failed transfer.
About the instruction to terminate a contract:
Why is the Premier so invested in the termination of the contract dating back to when she was not even in government?
Could the R600 million be the only reason Premier could rely on?
It would be interesting to know all these companies that complained to Premier and their ties.
At Community Safety, Roads and Transport the Premier met with contracts as we reported last year and allegedly threatened to terminate their contract if they don’t plough back to the community, make sense of that.
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