Staff Reporter
Bloemfontein – The controversy surrounding the Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport has deepened after Acting Head of Department Dr. Masego Tshabalala allegedly appointed a second acting director to a position that is already occupied.
The latest development follows the transfer of Justice Molisana from the Supply Chain Management (SCM) Directorate to the Asset Management Unit.
Molisana was replaced by Evodia Malebo, despite allegations that the transfer did not comply with the required provisions governing transfers within the public service.
According to an audio recording heard by STEPUP SA NEWS, it was MEC Jabu Mbalula who pushed for Molisana’s transfer and not Acting HOD Dr Tshabalala.
STEPUP SA NEWS has since established that Malebo is no longer heading the SCM Directorate. Instead, Dr Tshabalala has appointed Marcia Coangae as Acting Director: Supply Chain Management.
However, the appointment letter seen by STEPUP SA NEWS describes the position as vacant and states that Coangae will receive an acting allowance.
It is questionable whether the department complied with the Public Service Act before effecting the transfer and subsequent appointment.
Section 14 of the Act provides that a transfer may only take place if:
- due regard has been given to the inherent requirements of the post and the employee possesses the competencies to perform the functions of the position to which he or she is being transferred.
With Molisana transferred, Malebo initially taking over the role, and Coangae now appointed as Acting Director on the basis that the position is vacant, questions remain over the legal and administrative status of the SCM Directorate.
This is not the first time the department has faced scrutiny over transfers. The Public Service Commission (PSC) previously found that the department had abused its powers by transferring an employee without following the prescribed processes. Despite the PSC’s findings, the employee was never returned to her original position and was subsequently dismissed.
Professor Somadoda Fikeni who leads PSC warned public servants against unlawful instructions and urged them to report any irregularity to PSC.
This sentiment was also shared by Joyce “ Pretenders” Mathae, Free State Premier.
Mathae in her own words said unlawful instruction breeds corruption.
WATCH
Meanwhile, insiders claim that another management-level official is being earmarked for a position within the department’s administration.
Sources allege that the recruitment process has already been predetermined, suggesting that any shortlisted candidates may merely be participating in a process with a foregone conclusion.
The employee alleged earmarked in none other than Mbalula’s MLO, Walter Macala.
The allegations have drawn comparisons to previous appointments within the department when we reported Advocate Mojalefa Molotsi will be appointed way before even the applications closed.
Clearly a déjà vu moment.
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This has become a norm for Dept of Community Roads and Transport. Political interference and managing through gossip. There was hope when a female HOD was appointed, but it became extremely chaotic. She refused to approve employee initiated transfers to other departments. But every month headhunt outside the department in disguise of interdepartmental transfers.