Dr Nokwequ dumps FSPG after salary reduction 

Staff reporter 

Bloemfontein – The Free State Provincial Government (FSPG) is set to lose one of its top performing Head of Department after irregular and unlawful salary reduction. 

STEPUPSANEWS can confirm Dr Mbulelo Nokwequ, Head of Department at DESTEA will not return to office in 2026 following his resignation last month. 

Nokwequ’s last day in office is 19 December 2025 as he will start new job at a national department ending his 10 years relationship with FSPG.

Sources with intimate knowledge say the targeted and unfair job evaluation process is the reason why Nokwequ left. 

Up until Joyce “Pretenders” Mathae, Free State Premier assumed office, Head of Departments were on salary level 16 and suddenly, Dr Nokwequ, Nelisiwe Ntombela and Tshepo Mabilo were appointed at salary level 15. 

This on its own creates unfair labour practice under the principe of “job of same value equal pay”. 

Deputy Director-Generals (DDGs) are on salary level 15 and permanent, HODs are now on the same level with much much bigger responsibilities and on 5 year contracts.  

With a reshuffling of HODs likely to happen as instability continues, will those moved be downgraded? 

It goes without saying  FSPG will not attract the best skills for the job as Northern Cape currently pays better than Free State. 

Just last year FSPG lost Kopung Ralikontsane and this year alone Godfrey Mahlatsi and Dr Takisi Masiteng also said their good byes with Masechaba Sesing redundant at Premier’s Office. 

The Butcher and Pretenders

In other news, Patrick “The Butcher” Phuti and Joyce “Pretenders” Mathae have smoked the peace pipe. Phuti was served with a letter from Peyper Attorneys. Phuti confirmed receipt of the letter but downplayed.

”We are cool now, you won’t get the letter.”

Mathae was instructed by Integrity Commission to open a criminal case against Phuti but she sent lawyers.

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