Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – The normalisation of “irregular appointments” within Free State Provincial Government has taken impunity to greater heights.
STEPUPSANEWS can confirm at least five (5) employees appointed by Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in May 2023, were hired on 12 months contracts in contravention of section 65 of Public Service Regulations and no job evaluations were done.
The 12 months contracts were later converted into 5 years without authorisation from Minister of Public Service and Administration as required by section 57(4) of Public Service Regulations of 2016.
They were hired as Coordinator and Facilitators:
- Mr ZP Noveld,
- Mr KE Polokoane,
- Mr MK Matlakala,
- Mr MC Maina
- Mr AA Mcwele
In October 2024, they were seconded to COGTA.
Two more people were hired into occupied positions:
Mbuyiseni Khapa was hired as a parallel Director: Legal Services while Jankie Jack was hired as parallel Deputy Director.
When Khapa and Jack were hired, their positions were already occupied.
DARD paid two two directors and two deputy directors.
TRANSFERS
When Mokoena joined Human Settlements and COGTA after elections, he didn’t just leave with his office team.
He dragged brought the following:
- Mr T.M Ndumo from Agriculture is now acting Chief Director Corporate Services at Human Settlements
- Mr M.Lalu from Agriculture as Deputy Director is now acting as Director Designer and Allocation Management
- Zimasa (Mbebu) from Agricultural to Human Settlements
- Ms Molapo from Agricultural as Assistant Director Communication is now acting Deputy Director Communication at COGTA
- Dr Ramorena office manager (HOD) from Agriculture is now acting Chief Director Infrastructure
In total, 13 employees left DARD and followed Teboho “Sulky” Mokoena to Human Settlements and COGTA.
In that process Kgopotso Moahlodi and Makepe were shipped out to Premier’s Office and Health respectively.
Moahlodi became co-CFO with Sello Martins while Makepe who is a Chief Director: Infrastructure is now occupying a position lower at Health.
Just like Moahlodi, Makepe was transferred to a position not vacant.
To date, no official implicated in the R3 million fraud and corruption cases has been held accountable as the only thing DARD did was to issue notice of intent to institute disciplinary action. That’s it!
Those responsible for hiring without processes and procurement of goods that were never delivered found safe heaven at Human Settlements.
We know their names and roles they played, soon their identities will be revealed that’s if the Hawks don’t move on them sooner.
Moliehi Moeng, spokesperson for DARD confirmed the positions were not advertised.
“The mentioned officials were recruited as part of a special project to facilitate, provide support, manage and coordinate the provisioning of vulnerable support services for farm dwellers at provincial and district levels in the Free State Province.
They were appointed additional to the staff establishment in terms of Regulation 57(2)(e) of the Public Service Regulations, 2016 (as amended).”
However, that’s also in contravention of the same regulations the department is referring together with (f) as the said employees were converted to 5 years and then seconded to COGTA.
CONNECT THE DOTS
On the January 2024, we asked Zimasa about the pending transfer of Teboho Mosuane, Director: Legal Services and why Mokoena signed the submission before HOD.
She asked if employee transfers are news, here lies the answer to her question.
If you have news or tips please email news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp 0685000246
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