The Public Servants Association (PSA) has written to Minister of Defence Thandi Modise demanding the reinstatement of an employee who charges that she was bullied and transferred from the ministry for merely trying to ensure the minister’s staff followed proper procedures relating to her trip to the Rand Easter Show in 2022.
Moradi Dlamini, who worked as a registry clerk in the Department of Defence, has also accused Modise of intimidation.
Dlamini said her troubles started when she insisted that Modise’s travel documents to the Rand Easter Show comply with procedural regulations. According to Dlamini’s open internal letter to Modise, dated May 10, the minister’s doctor, Lt Col Ludrish Shikwambani, called to inform her that the minister requested a military vehicle to enable him to go to the Rand Easter Show with her.
“The first thing I requested from the [doctor] was his military licence, which he did send via WhatsApp. I then called my chief of staff to inform her and [asked] for her authority to act on this request, which she approved. I then called our log officer to come to the office to give me the military car keys; he had his own questions and concerns since the transport office is closed since it was a day before Good Friday and they knocked off at 10am,” Dlamini wrote.
She said she gave Shikwambani the car without the required transport paperwork, but mentioned to him that he must return it on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, to complete the paperwork, a process that all personnel, including VIP drivers, must follow.
Dlamini said she called Shikwambani on Monday, April 18, to remind him of the arrangement.
“On the same day, I felt completely perplexed by the call from the minister; she said, ‘This is Thandi”, and I asked ‘Thandi who’, and her response was, ‘Thandi Modise’. I was shocked that someone in such a position could introduce themselves in that manner and tone.”
The conversation continued: “‘What do you want from me?’ I was taken aback, as I couldn’t comprehend the context of her inquiry. She proceeded to inquire about my authority to demand [that Shikwambani] return the car.”
“I explained the situation in detail, but she seemed disinterested and told me she didn’t want to see me at her place of residence, which left me even more bewildered.
“Furthermore, she warned me to refrain from accessing her private office and staff. The minister forgot to inform her private staff because they continue calling me to assist.”
In the open letter, Dlamini poured her heart out: “Minister Thandi Modise, you have made me suffer, professionally, personally, and mostly with my kids. I need justice done to myself, or I will involve the media. I’m personally sick and tired of abuse of power, and we keep quiet due to poverty.
“You are privileged as a minister, where everything is paid for, from a domestic worker to wi-fi. I nearly lost my car and missed my kid’s school fees due to your emotional decisions.”
The PSA now demands that Dlamini be reinstated and a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding her removal be conducted to prevent such arbitrary actions in future.
The PSA noted in a letter to Modise dated May 2: “Dlamini’s commitment to upholding transparency and accountability within the public service led her to intervene when a matter arose concerning the misuse of a military vehicle by Shikwambani, an act that was against departmental policy.
“Instead of acknowledging Ms Dlamini’s adherence to policy and her dedication to upholding standards of governance, it is deeply concerning that the honourable minister allegedly responded by stating that [she] he does not want to see her again within the ministry.”
The union’s general manager, Reuben Maleka, said such a reaction not only undermined the principles of fairness and due process, but also infringed upon the fundamental principle of the separation of powers.
“As a public servant, Ms Dlamini is entitled to perform her duties without fear of arbitrary interference from political figures.
“Furthermore, the actions taken against Ms Dlamini, including her purported removal from her position and the unilateral cessation of associated benefits, are not only unjust but also unlawful.”
Maleka said the termination of her employment without proper cause or procedure constituted a violation of her rights as enshrined in both labour legislation and the Constitution.
“Therefore, on behalf of the PSA and in the interest of justice, we demand the immediate reinstatement of Ms Dlamini to her rightful position within the ministry of defence, along with the retrospective restoration of all associated benefits. This includes but is not limited to salary, allowances, and any other entitlements that Ms Dlamini would have received had she not been unlawfully removed from her post.”
Defence spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said that Modise had received correspondence from the PSA, and the department was seeking a meeting with the union to ventilate and resolve all issues of concern. “May I further add that the matter of the said complainant is presently being addressed by the entity responsible, which is the HR Division? Until such time, we will not comment further,” he said.
