Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – Free State Gambling, Liquor and Tourism Authority (FSGLTA) staff have downed tools over an unresolved pay-rise dating back to 2022.
This comes while top management allegedly awarded themselves salary increases which the Board has refused to reverse, despite clear instructions from the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA).
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The alleged level of mismanagement within the entity continues to raise concern and if the audited financial statements are anything to go by, the board should be dissolved and forensic investigation launched.
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A dismissed and reinstated employee, Thami Motsoasele, has now taken the Authority to court for contempt of court after it failed to pay him monies legally owed to him.
Motsoasele, who was dismissed by the entity, successfully challenged his dismissal at the CCMA and subsequently at the Labour Court. After several unsuccessful appeals by the Authority, the court ordered that he be reinstated and fully compensated. While the entity reinstated him, it has allegedly refused to pay the outstanding back pay, placing both Jack Tladi, Chairperson and Obakeng Seseane, acting CEO at risk of imprisonment for failing to comply with a court order and declared delinquents.
In addition, the Authority has numerous vacant positions—some left unfilled for more than nine years. These include several critical posts such as the HR Manager, GM: Operations, Audit Manager, Area Leader (Lejweleputswa and Thabo Mofutsanyana), Licensing Supervisor, Legal Manager, and many others.
Employees allege that the prolonged vacancies and acting appointments are being used as tools to control staff and secure loyalty, with certain positions rotated selectively while others remain stagnant.
Reports also indicate that intimidation tactics have been used against staff participating in the strike.
The board is also accused of appointing one of their own, Mofefere Dhlamini, who is 59 years on a five year contract, despite entity’s own policy requiring retirement at 60.
In other related news, two security guards at Phakisa Racecourse were attacked and shot when thieves tried to steal cables last week.
One guard was shot in the leg.
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