“ They were mostly needed in the Department of Health” – Ndaba on transfers of Advocate Mokgobo and Dr Monyane

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – The Department of Education has clarified the transfers of Advocate Mokgobo, Acting Director: Supply Chain Management (SCM), and Dr Thabiso Monyane, Acting Chief Director, from Education to the Department of Health.

Advocate Mokgobo joined the Department of Health before her transfer had been approved by Provincial Treasury, she moved and was already allocated an office.

When Treasury later declined the transfer, she remained at Health, after which a secondment plan was activated by former MECs Makalo Mohale and Mathabo Leeto.

At the time of her transfer, Sethunya was acting as Deputy Director.

His removal to make way for Mokgobo has been described as one of the most embarrassing episodes in the department.

He was allegedly informed via WhatsApp before being transferred to a psychiatric centre.

Mokgobo has continued to act in the position for an extended period, a situation that has reportedly deprived other qualifying employees of acting opportunities. Simon Thulo was also transferred to Pelonomi Hospital.

Thulo, an SCM Director with a record of clean audits across several departments, was reportedly overlooked because the position was gone.

Few months later Leeto built a house in six months, few years later Department of Health does not have medication.

According to the Department of Education, Mokgobo’s skills were deemed more necessary at the Department of Health because of her competence yet she could not be appointed at Education as acting SCM because Comeback Legegeru has been acting ever since Bob Tladi removed Lebogang Sebeela.

Advert with legal requirement disputed
The Department of Health later advertised the SCM Director position, listing a law qualification as a requirement.

Insiders allege the advert was tailor-made for Advocate Mokgobo.

A dispute was lodged over the advertisement, but no action has been taken to date.

With the complainant now on the verge of retirement, the position has since been re-advertised and Mokgobo will be appointed.

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Dr Thabiso Monyane
Dr Monyane was promoted to a Director position in the Department of Education in May 2025.

Two months later, in July, he was transferred to the Department of Health and appointed Acting Chief Director: Infrastructure.

While Dr Monyane was still serving as Deputy Director at Education, the infrastructure position at Health had already been filled but he too has scarce skills yet when Thato Nthunya left he was not appointed to act at Education.

Advocate Molemane Thebe was reportedly pushed out in 2023 following the ANC Provincial Conference.

Department response
Howard Ndaba, spokesperson for the Department of Education, described the transfers as routine.
“Dr Monyane and Advocate Mokgobo were transferred due to their respective competencies, which were mostly needed in the Department of Health.

The transfers were further in line with their prospective career trajectories, and nothing mischievous should be read into what were routine administrative processes.”

In 2023, Ndaba said Mokgobo took transfer and secondment.

“Adv Mokhobo took a transfer and seconded out of her own volition.

This is in line with Public Service Regulations on transfers.”

Growing concerns
Critics argue that the Department of Education is undermining public intelligence. The department has previously:
hired a convicted criminal, Cycil Ngwenya;
– appointed a candidate who ranked second in interviews;
– appointed a candidate to a position she did not apply for;
– failed to implement a Public Service Commission (PSC) report
– spent R10 million on three events using RFQs
– axed Thabo Mofutsanyane District Direct to please SADTU

The Department of Health has also faced scrutiny, including having two Deputy Directors-General appointed for a single position.

RIGHT OF REPLY: Free State Health is STEPPING UP selectively

The Free State continues to struggle with administrative instability.

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