Organised labour is demanding an expedited inquiry into the actions of Maropene Ramokgopa, the minister of the Department of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation.
The minister stands accused of sidestepping public service regulations by reinstating a senior official embroiled in corruption allegations without due process.
Leading the charge are the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) and the Public Servants Association (PSA), both vocally critical of Ramokgopa’s decision to reinstate Ntabozuko Nomlala as the chief director of corporate services.
The unions argue that the reinstatement of Nomlala, executed without a formal disciplinary hearing, flagrantly disregards the protocols designed to uphold integrity within the public service.
The unions have escalated their concerns to the parliamentary portfolio committee on planning, monitoring, and evaluation, urging immediate scrutiny and presenting a case that they believe warrants the minister’s accountability.
The outcome of an inquiry, they assert, should be relayed directly to the president for decisive action.
“We strongly accuse her of aiding and abetting corruption and malfeasance, and as such, we strongly request this portfolio committee to urgently investigate her for such and make her account for her actions and hopefully report her actions directly to the president, as her direct supervisor,” according to Nehawu’s Mongezi Davashe and PSA’s Ngaka Machete.
Central to the controversy is the timing and nature of Nomlala’s reinstatement on December 5, followed by a surprising promotion to acting deputy director-general: corporate services on December 24.
Union leaders contend that these decisions contravene multiple Public Service Commission (PSC) reports and court rulings that had called for disciplinary measures against Nomlala, accusations that Ramokgopa has notably dismissed.
Further exacerbating the situation are claims that Ramokgopa has exceeded her remit, allegedly undermining the authority of director-general Dr. Robert Nkuna.
This interference, union representatives argue, signals an alarming overreach of political power into the administrative workings of the department.
In a letter dated January 3, 2025, Ramokgopa informed Nkuna of Nomlala’s new position, creating ripples of discontent within the department.
Nkuna, attempting to navigate the complex situation, had sought guidance from the Department of Public Service and Administration on managing the appointment process amid the ongoing investigations.
Nkuna highlighted the necessity of addressing the appointment irregularities, especially after Nomlala’s failed legal challenge against the PSC’s findings.
“Aside from the disciplinary matters that have been ongoing for some time, there is also a need to reverse the appointment, which has been accentuated by Nomlala losing his court challenge against the PSC report,” Nkuna said.
He explored the potential of reassigning Nomlala to a different role, pending resolution of the labour issues that fell under corporate services.
Ramokgopa, defending her decision, cited that she had carefully considered and adhered to legal stipulations, including an arbitration ruling and the 60-day suspension limit for employees.
“Accordingly, Nomlala must return to his position as the chief director: human resources and corporate services in the department. Meanwhile, I would like to request that you withdraw the case at the labour court.”
However, Davashe and Machete warned that such actions would jeopardise the department’s governance and erode public trust.
They argued that promoting an individual under unresolved corruption allegations sets a perilous precedent, endangering the integrity of governance processes.
The unions expressed concern over the growing encroachment of political influence on bureaucratic operations, fearing it tarnished the department’s reputation and undermined its commitment to combating corruption.
