A high-ranking official who has blown the whistle on alleged corruption and also frustrated the approval of payments worth R3-billion in the department of employment and labour is fearing for her life after receiving death threats
The official has made allegations of theft, fraud and racketeering against employment and labour Minister Thulas Nxesi in an explosive affidavit to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
The official, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has also pointed Nxesi out as the mastermind behind the fresh scheme to siphon public funds meant to train unemployed people.
In the sworn affidavit, drafted in June under oath and on conditions of immunity from prosecution, the official attached copies of text messages from an anonymous number threatening to kill her for spilling the beans. “If you continue being a b#$ch, your days are numbered piece of sh@#t,” read the first text message. “Stop the nonsense that you are doing. You are full of sh@#t. Why didn’t you stop the previous adjudications. Where was the advert of those you did not stop?”
The writer alleges the department’s former director- general Thobile Lamati was handling the situation with kid gloves, but they would do worse. “We are not the labour DG who beats you wearing gloves. If you continue stopping adjudication with your stupid tricks, bullets are coming for you. You’ll play your tricks in the graveyard.”
The writer claims to know the whistleblower’s movements. “You are selfish bastard. The programme was running smoothly without you, piece of sh#t. You are back with sh#t.
“You deserve few bullets and be at the graveyard where you belong. We are tired of your nonsense.”
In the affidavit the official mentioned Nxesi, Lamati, 10 department officials and seven service providers among those involved in the alleged scheme. The
other prominent figures implicated are UIF chief operating officer Marsha Bronkhorst, former board chairperson Thulani Tshefuta, communications chief director Tebogo Thejane , chief financial officer Fizile Puzi, director of internal audit Nosipho Mthalane, employability director Maeleletsane Nape, employability deputy director Vusi Mnisi, manager in the director general’s office Malixole Ntleki and chief director of corporate services, Mzi Yawa
The Labour Activation Programme unit oversees more than 247 projects with a budget of R3.2-billion, including an employability budget of R2.8-billion and a jobs savings budget of R412-million.
The budget is sourced from the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), which invests in UIF funds. It annually projects the budget, which Lamati then approves. It collaborates with the UIF finance department, requiring advance notification of invoice payments to the PIC.
